Tinubu gives marching orders to FEC as Nigeria eyes Food sovereignty

News in Brief

-President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has ordered the Federal Executive Council (FEC) to swiftly implement measures to reduce food prices nationwide as part of a wider agenda to achieve food sovereignty in Nigeria.

-The government plans to introduce year-round irrigation farming, reduce post-harvest losses, boost local fertiliser production, and launch a Farmer Soil Health Scheme.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed the Federal Executive Council (FEC) committee to quickly implement measures aimed at reducing food prices across Nigeria. The directive is part of the government's broader strategy to ensure food sovereignty in the country. 

Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi, revealed this while speaking at a capacity-building workshop for Senate correspondents in Abuja on Wednesday. 

Key Areas of Reform

To meet this goal, the government is introducing several reforms, including:

• Year-round farming: Expanding irrigation systems to allow up to four farming cycles annually for selected crops.
• Reducing post-harvest losses: Implementing the Post-Harvest Connect programme to link farmers to the value chain and curb wastage, which reaches up to 70% for some commodities.
• Lowering input costs: Boosting local production of fertilisers and other essentials to reduce reliance on costly imports.

Soil Health and Cooperative Reforms

The administration will also launch a Farmer Soil Health Scheme, recognising soil as the foundation of sustainable agriculture. In addition, a cooperative reform initiative will mobilise resources, empower rural farmers, and strengthen economic activities in farming communities.

Long-Term Commitment

“The president’s aim is not just that Nigerians eat three square meals today but that this consistency and stability in food availability continue year after year,” Abdullahi said, stressing the administration's commitment to long-term food security and sovereignty.