The Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Abubakar Kyari, announced that approximately ₦309 billion was injected into the Nigerian economy through harvest in the past year as part of the efforts by President Bola Tinubu’s administration to ensure food security. This announcement was made during the 3rd ministerial sectoral update, marking the first anniversary of President Tinubu’s tenure.
Kyari outlined several measures taken by the government to address food and nutrition security, including:
- Dry Season Farming: Launching dry season farming, with 118,657 hectares of wheat cultivated across 15 states to promote year-round farming.
- Rice Distribution: Procuring and distributing 58,500 metric tonnes of milled rice to all states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to mitigate rising prices.
- Fortified Crops: Enhancing the nutritional content of crops by fortifying them with vitamin A micronutrients.
In response to persistent food inflation, the government has also:
- Improved Seeds and Seedlings: Distributed 60,432 metric tonnes of improved seeds, 887,255 metric tonnes of seedlings, and 62,328 metric tonnes of inorganic fertilizers to farmers.
- Equipment Distribution: Provided equipment to farmers across various value chains to boost production.
- Farmland Security: Improved farmland security by providing additional resources to agro rangers and other security agencies.
Senator Kyari also highlighted government efforts in livestock production, animal health, pest and disease control, strengthening mechanization, and agricultural research. He noted the intensified production and processing of export crops such as soybean, sesame, ginger, and hibiscus.
President Tinubu, who took office on May 29, 2023, was in Lagos to begin commissioning several projects completed under his administration as part of the anniversary celebrations. According to a State House press statement titled “President Tinubu Set To Inaugurate Projects To Mark One Year In Office,” signed by Special Adviser Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the president will inaugurate several projects across the country, including:
- Concrete-Paved Road: The concrete-paved road to the major ports in Apapa and Tin Can Island, financed by the Dangote Group through tax credits.
- Third Mainland Bridge: The refurbished Third Mainland Bridge, which will be inaugurated virtually.
- Road and Bridge Rehabilitation: The rehabilitation of 330 roads and bridges nationwide.
- Lagos-Calabar Superhighway: The iconic Lagos-Calabar Superhighway, estimated to cost about N15 trillion, connecting nine coastal states.
The president will return to Abuja on Tuesday to continue commissioning more projects.