The Federal Government has announced that food prices across Nigeria are expected to drop soon due to its dedication to achieving food security through the implementation of advanced farming techniques.
This announcement was made in Abuja on Tuesday during the 48th Annual Conference of the Soil Science Society of Nigeria.
Speaking at the event, Dr. Aliyu Abdullahi, the Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, acknowledged the ongoing food crisis in the country. “We are taking all necessary steps to ensure food availability nationwide,” the minister assured.
Abdullahi highlighted that the government is examining various strategies to secure food supply, aiming to enhance food production by reestablishing a sustainable system that supports year-round farming in Nigeria. “We are fully aware of the current food challenge in Nigeria. We are fully aware that the problem is what we met on the ground. If it’s available, it’s available. If it’s not available, it’s not available. But we also know that even if it is available, it has to be affordable,” he said.
The minister also disclosed that the government is already strategizing for the upcoming dry season, aiming to improve on the outcomes of the previous one. He urged farmers with access to water to maximize dry season farming opportunities. He noted that the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security is fully committed to addressing the current food crisis. He assured the public that the government is taking steps to boost agricultural production and subsequently bring down food prices.
“Just recently, I’m sure many of you must have seen that report. Irish potato which used to cost about N180,000, has crashed down to about N45,000 because it is now available as a result of the current wet season production in the Plateau. That is the story we expect to see over the next couple of years,” Abdullahi stated.
He further stressed the government’s commitment to supporting farmers by enhancing the value of their produce. This, he said, will minimize post-harvest losses and ensure consistent food availability.
The minister also announced that the ministry is prioritizing the Nigerian farmer’s soil healthcare scheme as a key intervention for sustainable agriculture. Consequently, the scheme will be implemented in all 774 Local Government Areas across Nigeria. “It is important to know that the soil healthcare scheme will achieve improved soil health and fertility, increase agricultural productivity and resilience, enhance food security and nutrition, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and carbon sequestration, improve livelihoods and income for small-scale farmers, and better adaptation and mitigation strategies for climate change.
“The national farmer’s soil healthcare scheme is aimed at promoting sustainable soil management and judicious use of fertilizers tailored to specific locations and crops. As part of the soil healthcare scheme, there will be soil testing laboratories planned for all the Local Governments and states.”
He emphasized that achieving success in this initiative would necessitate collaboration and synergy, ultimately leading to the creation of a resilient food system that is inclusive and beneficial to all.
In his remarks, Prof. Jibrin Jibrin, President of the Soil Science Society of Nigeria, commended the conference theme, ‘Soil Health and Climate-Smart Agriculture for Resilient Food Security System,’ as timely, given the pressing issue of climate change. He lamented that population growth has led to soil degradation and stressed the need for soil preservation to enhance crop yields.
“The soil is a living thing. If you allow it to get destroyed, then you are destroying your nation. So the government, especially the present government, has understood the importance of soil. That is why it has launched several initiatives and is now working with us to ensure that we treat our soils with science-based knowledge,” he said.