*The Federal Government, among other interventions, inaugurates the Presidential Food Systems Coordination Unit to address the current nutrition crisis, acknowledging the fact that Nigeria is facing 鈥榓 rare food security crisis鈥� that urgently requires ideas and resources of stakeholders in the country

Gbenga Kayode | 绿帽献妻

Against the backdrop of current increasing costs of foodstuffs and other essential commodities, and efforts at ensuring food security in the Nigerian economy, the Federal Government Friday, July 12, 2024, inaugurated the Presidential Food Systems Coordination Unit (PFSCU), in Abuja, FCT.

绿帽献妻 reports the government stated that the PFSCU Committee is saddled with the responsibility of seeking and finding a solution to the extant food security crisis and skyrocketing costs of food items in the West African country.

Vice-President (Senator) Kashim Shettima

The Committee, to be chaired by Vice-President (Senator) Kashim Shettima, comprises some state governors, representatives of Local Government Councils (LGCs), development partners, and other critical stakeholders, who are expected to coordinate all agricultural activities in Nigeria.

Nigeria facing ‘a rare food security crisis,’ says VP Shettima

Speaking at the inauguration of the Committee on behalf of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the Presidential Villa Friday, in Abuja, VP Shettima acknowledged the fact that the country is facing 鈥渁 rare food security crisis鈥� that urgently requires the ideas and resources of stakeholders.

Stanley Nkwocha, Senior Special Assistant to the President (Office of the Vice-President) stated Senator Shettima said: 鈥淭he nation is facing a rare food security crisis and the sooner we come to terms with the reality, the better.

鈥淔ood insecurity endangers the very basis of our democratic experiment, and this is why all hands have to be on deck. We are in a food security crisis, but it also provides us the opportunity to re-engineer and reposition the nation on a firmer footing鈥�.

Some of the state governors at the meeting applaud the initiative, which they described as appropriate in addressing the current situation in the country.

On some factors inducing food inflation crisis in economy

It is said that the government action comes in the wake of the increasing costs of food items in Nigeria with the inflation rate estimated at 33.69 percent.

Subsequently, stakeholders have blamed the development on multiple issues, including insecurity with armed men, bandits and terrorists holding sway in some parts of the country鈥檚 food belt.

However, in a bid to reverse the negative trend in the agricultural sector of the economy, President Tinubu, in 2023, declared an emergency on food security in Nigeria.

The Nigerian leader reportedly stated: 鈥淭here must be an urgent synergy between the Ministry of Agriculture and the Ministry of Water Resources to ensure adequate irrigation of farmlands and to guarantee that food is produced all year round.鈥�

The President also assured Nigerian consumers that his administration would 鈥渆ngage our security architecture to protect the farms and the farmers so that farmers can return to the farmlands without fear of attacks.鈥�

Other practical measures to boost nutrition security

Likewise, in a move to cushion the soaring inflation in the economy, the Federal Government recently approved a 150-day duty-free importation of maize, husked brown rice and wheat into the country.

Senator Abubakar Kyari, Honourable Minister for Agriculture and Food Security, disclosed this while briefing reporters Monday, July 8 in Abuja.

The Minister explained that the government’s initiative specifically suspends duties, tariffs and taxes on these imports through both land and sea borders.

Kyari also stated: “The Government has announced 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.”

The Minister also noted the measure is part of the implementation of the Presidential Accelerated and Stabilisation Advancement Plan (ASAP).

The Federal Executive Council (FEC), at its recent meeting during the week, also approved the procurement of 2,000 tractors, 4,000 disc ploughs, 1,000 disc ridges, 1,200 tractor trailers and assorted spare parts, under the National Agricultural Mechanisation for improved food security.

Mr. Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, in a recap of the latest major decisions of FEC, disclosed the Council also approved the procurement of 2,000 tractors, 4,000 disc ploughs, 1,000 disc ridges, 1,200 tractor trailers and assorted spare parts to enhance agricultural production.

The National Agricultural Mechanisation Programme (NAMP) will supply the approved agricultural equipment and spare parts to strengthen national food security, said Onanuga.

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