By Faridat Salifu
The Federal Government of Nigeria has unveiled a bold plan to cultivate 750,000 hectares of land for important staple crops, such as maize, rice, wheat, and cassava, in an effort to reduce skyrocketing food inflation and improve food security.
This initiative is part of the National Agricultural Growth Scheme Agro-pocket project, recently unveiled by the Minister of State for Agriculture, Sen. Aliyu Abdullahi, at the 2024 Sahel Food Systems Change Makers Conference in Abuja.
Highlighting the pressing need for increased agricultural productivity, Abdullahi shared that the initiative aims to transform Nigeria’s farming landscape by embracing year-round cultivation. “To effectively combat rising food prices, we must utilize every season to its fullest potential,” he remarked.
The Minister emphasized the feasibility of this approach by leveraging the country’s extensive water resources, notably the Niger and Benue rivers, to support irrigation during the dry season.
This strategic pivot seeks to shift Nigeria away from traditional single-season farming methods, enabling farmers to cultivate crops throughout the year. By introducing climate-smart agricultural technologies, the initiative promises to accelerate the development of short-duration, drought-tolerant, and disease-resistant crop varieties.
This focus on innovation is expected to foster increased cropping cycles, optimizing food availability even in challenging climatic conditions.
The urgency of this initiative is underscored by Nigeria’s current food security crisis, marked by a staggering 40.5% food inflation rate, which has left approximately 31 million citizens confronting severe food shortages.
In response, the government is implementing emergency measures, including financial aid ranging from N50,000 to N100,000 for vulnerable households across all 36 states.
An impressive allocation of N155 billion has also been earmarked for the distribution of crucial food items to those in need.
Additionally referencing President Bola Tinubu, who asked state governors to give food security projects top priority in order to ease household financial strains during his remarks at the recent National Economic Council meeting.
The government’s comprehensive strategy underscores the urgency of transforming Nigeria’s agricultural landscape to ensure sustainable food production and resilience against external shocks.