According to Punchng. President Bola Tinubu has officially declared a state of emergency on food security during a gathering in Abuja on Thursday.
In response, he has approved the inclusion of matters related to food and water availability and affordability within the jurisdiction of the National Security Council.
To allete the impact of subsidy removal, Tinubu has authorized the immediate release of fertilizers and grains to farmers and households.
This decision was announced by Dele Alake, the Special Adviser to the President on Special Duties, Communications, and Strategy, after consultations with key stakeholders in the agricultural sector at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
Alake stated, “We will immediately release fertilizers and grains to farmers and households to mitigate the effects of the subsidy removal.
There will be an organic synergy between the Ministry of Agriculture and the use of water resources to ensure adequate irrigation of farmlands and to guarantee that food is available all year round.
Mr. President has made it clear that we are no longer comfortable with seasonal farming, and we can no longer afford farming downtime.”
Furthermore, the Federal Government plans to collaborate with states in establishing ranches, including dedicated sections as grazing reserves.
The President’s aide explained that the government would cover the cost of land for these ranches through the partnership with state governments.
In addition, the government aims to activate land banks nationwide, encompassing approximately 500,000 hectares of mapped land.
This initiative seeks to increase the availability of arable land for farming, thereby boosting food production.
Meanwhile, the Central Bank has advised middlemen who are withholding grains to release their supplies, as prices are expected to decrease once the government begins the distribution of grains.
These recent developments indicate the government’s commitment to addressing food security challenges in Nigeria.
By implementing immediate measures and fostering partnerships, the aim is to ensure the availability and affordability of food, optimize agricultural productivity, and promote sustainable farming practices.
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