Nigeria Opens Food Reserve, Begins Distribution Of 42,000MT To States

Nigeria’s federal government has flagged off of the release of 42,000 metric tonnes (MT) of assorted food commodities from the National Strategic Food Reserve (NSFR) across the country to vulnerable Nigerians to cushion the effect of the rising cost of food commodities.

For the federal government, the exercise was held on Sunday, at the Government House, Sokoto, Sokoto state.

The 42,000MT of assorted food commodities, comprised of maize (23,600MT), sorghum (12,860 M), millet (3,700MT), and Garri (1,840MT).

The allocation delivered to Sokoto state comprises Maize 506.00MT, Sorghum (589.00MT), and Millet (216.20MT) and (44.01 trucks or 26,406 50kg bags).

The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, said the distribution of grains was part of a comprehensive intervention programme of the federal government to cushion hardship in the land and revamp the Nigerian economy for sustainable development and prosperity for all citizens.

He said President Bola Tinubu was concerned about rising food prices and was determined to make essential food available and affordable for Nigerians, which explained why he approved the distribution of 42,000 metric tonnes of assorted grains, including sorghum, millet, and maize, and 60,000 metric tonnes of rice through millers.

According to him, the federal government was under no illusion that Mr. President’s policy reform would be without some transitional pains, adding there was sustained confidence that, in the long run, the end would justify the means.

“The government calls for continued patience and understanding from Nigerians as we push through these difficult times into a season of abundant benefits and truly renewed Hope.

“As the President never fails to emphasise, these headwinds we face are only temporary, and we will surely overcome them,” he said.

He listed the marked reduction of petrol importation to 50 percent monthly, the stabilised foreign exchange with the naira waxing stronger daily, and the recent launch of the Renewed Hope Infrastructure Development Fund (RHIDF), which aims to raise about N20 trillion for investment in critical sectors of the economy as early wins.

Speaking at the event, the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, said the President was desirous of cushioning the effect of the rising cost of food commodities by ensuring a sustained buffer stock, as provided by the Nigeria Food Storage Policy.

He explained that the National Strategic Food Reserve was expected to keep only five percent of total annual food production, while 10 percent was expected to be kept by state governments as a buffer stock to complement the National Reserve, adding the buffer stock programme has, however, remained non-existent in most states of the Federation and had continued to exert avoidable pressure on the Federal Government National Strategic Food Reserve stock.

“Therefore, I want to encourage all the state governments to begin activating the buffer stock in their various states so that in cases of emergency and future food interventions like this, they will have stocks that complement the federal government’s efforts,” Idris said.

Also, in Ondo State, Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, on Monday, flagged off the distribution of 1200 tonnes of palliative grains to livestock farmers across the 18 local government areas in the state.

According to Aiyedatiwa, the 40 trailers of grains, supplied by the federal government, would be distributed to poultry, piggery and fishery farmers across the 18 local government areas of the State.

Speaking at the event in Akure, Aiyedatiwa stressed the importance of implementing measures to address the escalating food prices in the country, highlighting the establishment of the committee on Agriculture and Food Security tasked with taking immediate action in response to this challenge.

The governor said: “Today’s programme is the first among the activities and initiatives lined up to make our State zero tolerant to food insecurity accompanied by massive modern agricultural interventions needed to catapult us to an enviable position in the comity of States. 

“The effects of painful but necessary subsidy removal on petrol had compounded the food security situation in Ondo State and indeed Nigeria. Rising inflation on food items and others have made life somewhat unbearable to the people.

“As a government, we must check this ugly trend and make sure that food is not just available, but affordable to the generality of the people.”

The Governor highlighted infrastructure projects aimed at improving market access via rural roads, as well as empowering smallholder farmers, particularly women and youths, through training, capacity building, and access to credit.

Aiyedatiwa, praised the significant contribution of agriculture to the State’s economy, noting Ondo State’s role in supplying 75 percent of tomatoes to markets in Lagos State.

He announced the distribution of 40 trailers of maize to poultry, fish and piggery farmers, with plans for further distribution of various food commodities in the future.

The Governor also appreciated the support of the federal government, led by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, in approving the distribution of grains and other commodities across the country.

Earlier in his welcome address, the Chairman, Committee on Agriculture and Food Security, Mr. Rotimi Wemimo Akinsola, commended the governor for establishing the committee as a testament to the governor’s commitment to the welfare of the people.

He stated that the committee was dedicated to realising the governor’s agricultural initiatives and encouraged farmers who received agricultural commodities to utilise them effectively, thereby contributing to lower prices.

He envisioned the state becoming a leading agricultural hub due to its abundant natural resources, pledging to visit farmers in their communities to understand their challenges and relay them to the governor for prompt solutions.

Olawale Ajimotokan and Fidelis David

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