The Federal Government has announced the suspension of duties, tariffs, and taxes on some essential food items imported through land and sea borders.
The Guardian reports that the measure is aimed at reducing the prices of food items across Nigeria.
President Bola Tinubu’s administration unveiled these measures in a statement signed by the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Abubakar Kyari.
According to the statement, duties on certain imported food items through land and sea borders will be suspended.
“There will be a 150-day duty-free import window for food commodities: suspension of duties, tariffs and taxes for the importation of certain food commodities through
land and sea borders,” Kyari said.
“These commodities include maize, husked brown rice, wheat and cowpeas. Imported food commodities will be subjected to a Recommended Retail Price (RRP).”
Kyari stated that the government would not compromise the safety of the various food items for consumption.
In addition to the importation by the private sector, the Federal Government will import 250,000mt of wheat and 250,000mt of maize.
The imported food commodities in their semi-processed state will target supplies to the small-scale processors and millers across the country.
Kyari said the government will engage relevant stakeholders to set a Guaranteed Minimum Price (GMP) and mop up surplus assorted food commodities to restock the National Strategic Food Reserve (NSFR).
The minister added that there will be a continuous ramp-up of production for the 2024/2025 farming cycle including sustained support to smallholder farmers in the ongoing wet season farming through existing government initiatives.
He said the FG will strengthen and accelerate dry season farming across the country and also embark on aggressive agricultural mechanisation and development to reduce drudgery, drive down the cost of production and boost productivity.
“The Federal Government will collaborate with sub-national to identify irrigable lands and increase land under cultivation,” Kyari stated.
“The government will work closely with the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation, to rehabilitate and maintain irrigation facilities under river basin authorities across the federation.
“The Federal Government will work on the development of a strategic engagement for youth and women across the federation for
immediate greenhouse cultivation of horticultural crops such as tomatoes and pepper to increase production volume, stabilise prices, and address food shortages.”
Kyari said the government will fast-track ongoing engagements with the Nigerian Military to rapidly cultivate arable lands under the Defence Farms Scheme while encouraging other para-military establishments to secure available arable lands for cultivation.
According to him, the Renewed Hope National Livestock Transformation Implementation Committee will be inaugurated on Tuesday, July 9, 2024 to develop and implement policies that prioritise livestock development and ensure alignment with the National Livestock Transformation Plan initiated by the past administration.
“The Federal Government will enhance nutrition security through the promotion of production of fortified food commodities and offer necessary support to scale up the Home Garden Initiative by the Office of The First Lady of Nigeria,” Kyari said.
“Over the next 14 days, in close collaboration with the Presidential Food Systems Coordinating Unit (PFSCU) and the Economic Management Team (EMT), the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security will convene with the respective agencies to finalise the implementation frameworks.”
Kyari stated that the PFSCU will manage a dashboard for President Tinubu, providing him with direct visibility into these interventions and ensuring accountability.
The minister said these measures will be implemented over the next 180 days and information will be publicly available to facilitate the participation of all relevant stakeholders across the country.
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