Minister for Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, has addressed the ongoing issue of high food prices in Nigeria, which continue to affect many Nigerians.
Speaking in an interview, Kyari acknowledged the concerns of Nigerians who have been struggling with high food prices.
He pointed out that food prices are not just high in Nigeria but have also been rising globally, largely due to the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, climate change, and the ongoing war in Ukraine.
Kyari emphasized that food prices are generally higher in many neighboring countries.
He went on to explain that the government’s approach to solving this issue focuses on ramping up food production. While availability is increasing, high prices persist because supply is still struggling to meet the growing demand.
“What the government is trying to do here is actually to ramp up production. When availability is there, but then prices are still high, it’s a case of supply and demand. You ramp up, supply and demand stays the same, and then the prices come down. That is the direction that we’re looking at,” he said.
One of the major challenges Nigeria faces in this regard is the state of its agricultural sector.
Kyari highlighted that the country’s farming practices have not kept up with modern demands, and many farmers are still using traditional methods passed down through generations.
He noted that about 95% of farmers in Nigeria are smallholder farmers who rely on these old techniques.
“It is difficult to convince people to change their farming methods when they have been doing things the same way for decades.”
He also acknowledged that changes in the climate, such as erratic rainfall and flooding, have made it even harder for these farmers to maintain consistent yields.
Kyari further noted that there is a challenge of land shortage in Nigeria as a result of flooding and urbanization.
He said, “Land is shrinking. When you look at our arable land, we have less and less due to flooding due to habitation because of population growth.”
Despite these challenges, Kyari emphasized that the government is making efforts to improve agricultural practices.
He mentioned the focus on mechanizing farming, which would allow for more efficient production. “We are focusing on better seeds, improved soil health, and mechanization.
“This will allow us to boost food production and help meet the growing demand,” he said.
To address these issues, the government is focused on increasing crop yields, particularly with high-yielding seed varieties.
Kyari explained that with the right seeds, farming techniques, and soil management, Nigeria could potentially double its agricultural output.
“If we can get the right seeds, apply better agronomic practices, and improve soil health, we can meet our demand and even exceed it,” he added.