The Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari on Monday announced measures that will be implemented over the next 180 days to bring down the soaring prices if foodstuffs. The measures include: 

A 150-Day Duty-Free Import Window for Food Commodities

Suspension of duties, tariffs and taxes for the importation of certain food commodities (through land and sea borders) these commodities include maize, husked brown rice, wheat and cowpeas

Under this arrangement, imported food commodities will be subjected to a Recommended Retail Price (RRP).

In addition to the importation by private sector, Federal Government will import 250,000MT of wheat and 250,000MT of maize. The imported food commodities in their semi processed state will target supplies to the small-scale processors and millers across the country

 The Minister explained that FG will engage relevant stakeholders to set a Guaranteed Minimum Price (GMP) and mop up surplus assorted food commodities to restock the National Strategic Food Reserve.

Other measures announced by the Minister include continuous ramp-up production for the 2024/2025 farming cycle.

a. sustained support to smallholder farmers in the ongoing wet season farming through existing government initiatives.

b. strengthen and accelerate Dry Season Farming across the country.

c. embark on aggressive agricultural mechanization and development to reduce drudgery, drive down the cost of production and boost productivity.

d. collaborate with Sub-National to identify irrigable lands and increase land under cultivation

e. work closely with the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation, to rehabilitate and maintain irrigation facilities under river basin authorities across the federation.

f. development of a strategic engagement for youth and women across the federation for immediate greenhouse cultivation of horticultural crops such as tomatoes and pepper to increase production volume, stabilize prices, and address food shortages.


g. fast-tracking ongoing engagements with the Nigerian Military to rapidly cultivate arable lands under the Defence Farms Scheme, while encouraging other Para-Military establishments to put secured available arable lands to cultivation.