Nigeria Poised to Overcome Food Inflation and Shortage, Says FG

Federal Government has announced that Nigeria will soon overcome its current food shortage and inflation, which has escalated to 40%, as per the National Bureau of Statistics. This assurance was given by the newly appointed Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Abubakar Kyari, during an interview on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics.

Expecting a Bumper Harvest

Minister Kyari revealed that the administration of President Bola Tinubu has implemented measures to address food inflation and boost food production. He expressed optimism that the country would witness a significant harvest before the end of the year. “We are expecting a bumper harvest around October-November this year, barring any natural issues,” Kyari said. “I assure you, we will have a bumper harvest.”

Challenges Contributing to Food Shortage

Kyari highlighted several factors contributing to the acute food shortage in Nigeria, including seasonal changes, reduced landmass for agriculture, flooding, and other issues. He explained, “The season we have here is critical. This is what we call the lean season, between June and July, before the next harvest. The shrinkage of land mass for agriculture, flooding, habitation problems, and insecurity are major challenges.”

Mechanized Farming Initiatives

To tackle these challenges, the federal government is promoting mechanized farming by distributing fertilizers to farmers and purchasing tractors. “We are ramping up efforts for mechanized farming,” Kyari stated. “We have ordered 200 tractors and 9,000 other implements from Belarus. The basic farming tool in Nigeria is still a hoe, which is archaic and antique. That’s why we are pushing for mechanization.”

The government’s proactive steps towards mechanized farming and addressing seasonal agricultural issues indicate a strong commitment to overcoming the current food crisis. With the anticipated bumper harvest and continuous support for farmers, Nigeria is on the path to mitigating food inflation and ensuring food security for its citizens.