Babatunji Wusu –
- Addressing Food Inflation: The Federal Government, through the Ministry of Agriculture, is committed to addressing the issue of food inflation affecting citizens.
- Market Factors and Hoarding: High food prices have been attributed to market factors and the actions of hoarders.
- Government’s Plan: The government is focusing on increasing food production, implementing price stabilization mechanisms, and tackling hoarding.
- Dry-Season Farming: The introduction of dry-season farming aims to ensure year-round cultivation of staple foods, enhancing availability and affordability.
- Commitment to Affordability: The government is determined to make food both available and affordable for the population.
The Federal Government has reiterated its dedication to resolving the issue of food inflation that has been affecting citizens. During a press briefing, the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Abubakar Kyari, addressed the public regarding government efforts to reduce the high prices of food in the market.
Kyari explained that the soaring food prices were due to market dynamics and the actions of hoarders. However, he emphasized that the government’s policies, alongside a surge in food production in 2024, were already helping to alleviate the underlying factors driving high prices.
In his statement, Kyari reassured the public that the government was working tirelessly to ensure food became more accessible and affordable. He highlighted a key initiative: the dry-season farming project, which aims to make the cultivation of staple foods a year-round activity. This, he believes, will significantly boost food availability.
Kyari noted that the increase in supply, following a positive harvest in 2024, was already outpacing previous years. He also addressed the issue of food hoarding, pointing out that some individuals had been inflating prices by hoarding products purchased at higher rates. The government, he stated, is actively working to discourage this behavior to stabilize prices.
Moreover, the Minister outlined plans for the stabilization of food prices, which will be rolled out in the coming weeks. This effort includes ensuring that the local production of food is not hindered while working to bring down prices further. Kyari also detailed the ongoing success of the dry-season farming initiative, which will continue to increase food supply through three farming cycles per year.
