AFAN: Year-Round Farm Input Subsidies Key To Reducing Food Inflation

News in brief: The All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN) is urging year-round subsidies on farm inputs, increased mechanisation, and more investors to combat rising food prices and food inflation.

Amid rising food prices and hunger, the All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN) called for year-round subsidies on farm inputs, increased mechanisation, and other measures to reduce food inflation and make food more affordable for Nigerians.

AFAN National President Arc Ibrahim Kabir told reporters that food inflation is a major concern for the association, which represents Nigerian farmers, and that farmers need more support to feed the country's 200 million people.

His statement comes after a recent report by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) showing that the average price of 43 food items increased by 31.5% to ₦51,414.1 from ₦39,108.5. He added that addressing high food prices is largely a responsibility of local and state governments, where most farmers are located.

Meanwhile, the association's president called for synergy between the federal, state, and local governments, as well as the private sector, to boost food production and create jobs for the teeming youth population.

Kabir advised President Bola Tinubu to implement the National Agricultural Technology and Innovation Policy (NATIP), which is designed to bring about long-term economic and social change through public and private sector investments in agriculture and rural development.

Furthermore, he advised the administration to attract investors into the agricultural sector with incentives, and to incentivise existing investors. He explained that making it easy to do business in the country should also be a priority as he believes that if implemented and sustained, it will boost food production, reduce high food prices, and create jobs.