The Federal Government has said its ongoing agricultural reforms are aimed at ensuring food availability, affordability and accessibility for Nigerians.
Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, made this known to journalists in Maiduguri, stressing that the reforms are part of broader efforts to combat food insecurity and revive the national economy.
Kyari outlined a multi-pronged strategy to tackle sectoral challenges such as insecurity, flooding and over-reliance on food imports, particularly wheat and rice.
“As part of efforts to reduce the over six million tonnes of wheat currently imported annually, we have launched a national wheat farming programme,” he said.
He disclosed that Cross River had become the first state in southern Nigeria to participate in the wheat production initiative, a development he described as a key milestone in expanding the crop’s regional footprint.
The minister added that fertiliser distribution under the scheme had increased rice output by 58,000 tonnes, allowing the federal government to subsidise rice for flood-affected states.
“In addition to wheat, the ministry has championed a successful rice programme, leading to positive harvests nationwide,” he said.
Kyari emphasised the need to protect local farmers and consumers, noting that smallholder farmers account for 80 per cent of Nigeria’s food production.
“Our immediate priority is to address affordability and ensure every Nigerian has access to safe and nutritious food,” he stated.
He said with Nigeria’s population projected to reach 400 million by 2050, the government was prioritising mechanised agriculture and youth empowerment to secure long-term food stability.
Kyari also said that efforts were underway to rehabilitate national assets such as tractors and essential farm equipment to improve productivity.
To curb post-harvest losses, the minister announced a bilateral agreement with Brazil to support the preservation, processing and storage of perishable produce.
He added that Nigeria had partnered with Belarus to improve aggregation services, a move expected to significantly enhance yields.
Warning against the misuse of government-supplied machinery, Kyari urged farmers to handle such resources responsibly.
He further revealed that only three of Nigeria’s silo sites are currently operational but assured that plans are in place to restore all facilities.
“The Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security will collaborate with stakeholders to ensure these critical storage facilities are fully utilised,” he said.
(NAN)