On Thursday, President Bola Tinubu declared a state of emergency on food security in response to efforts by the Federal Government to address food inflation following the removal of fuel subsidies.
Tinubu also authorized the inclusion of food and water availability and affordability within the scope of the National Security Council, recognizing them as essential elements for sustaining livelihoods.
To alleviate the impact of subsidy removal, immediate measures will be taken, including the distribution of fertilizers and grains to farmers and households. These decisions were 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.
Alake emphasized that while food availability is not a major concern, affordability has become a significant issue nationwide, resulting in a decline in demand that affects the entire agricultural and food value chain. The government aims to support the most vulnerable by implementing various interventions.
The administration plans to allocate funds saved from the fuel subsidy removal to revamp the agricultural sector, with a focus on doubling the percentage of employment in agriculture from 35.21% to 70% in the long term.
Immediate interventions will involve releasing fertilizers and grains, ensuring continuous farming production through irrigation schemes in river basins, establishing a commodity board to regulate food prices, and implementing measures to protect farms and farmers.
Regarding livestock farming, the government intends to collaborate with states to create ranches, with dedicated grazing reserves, in a modernized approach to livestock business. Additionally, land banks will be activated to increase the availability of arable land for farming.
To address transportation and storage challenges, the government plans to explore alternative means such as rail and water transport, reduce freight costs, and improve the efficiency of food storage facilities.
The government will also work on stimulating the export capacity of the agricultural sector to generate more revenue. These interventions are expected to have a positive impact on employment and job creation, aiming to create between five to ten million new jobs within the agricultural value chain.
The administration urges Nigerians to support these strategic interventions, emphasizing that food and water are crucial for survival. Their goal is to ensure that essential needs are met and that citizens do not face unnecessary hardships.
