Mr. Bayo Onanuga, the Special Adviser on Information and Strategy to the Nigerian President, has announced that the Federal Government, through the Federal Executive Council (FEC), has approved the procurement of extra machinery to boost food production across the country.
A statement released by the adviser indicates that the government approved the purchase of a substantial number of agricultural machinery, including 2,000 tractors, 4,000 disc plows, and 1,200 tractor-trailers under the National Agricultural Mechanization Program (NAMP).
The statement reaffirms the government’s commitment to “strengthen national food security.“
The procurement contract was awarded to Astride DMCC, a company that, according to the statement, “has done a similar job in Zimbabwe, Kenya, South Africa, and Togo.” The presidential adviser said, Astride DMCC will also set up a machinery assembly plant in Nigeria as the “second stage of the contract.”
This statement came after the Federal government, through the Minister of Agriculture, Senator Abubakar Kyari, suspended import tariffs on foodstuffs for about three months.
In a follow-up press conference, the Minister said the government also plans to import 250,000 metric tonnes of wheat and maize to replenish the depleted strategic grain reserve.
Nigeria is currently grappling with a severe food scarcity crisis. Insecurity has deterred farmers from cultivating the land, leading to increase in the prices of staple foods. Food inflation rates have surged by 40%, making it increasingly difficult for households with stagnant incomes to afford basic foods such as rice, beans, and bread.
The price of staple foods, especially grains, has increased by over 100% in the past year.
Approximately 70 million Nigerians are reportedly in danger of severe food shortages and malnutrition nationwide.
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