The Nigerian government is preparing to reduce its dependence on food imports with a new strategy designed to elevate domestic agricultural production and ensure fortify food security.
Speaking in a press conference in Abuja, Finance Minister Wale Edun emphasized that the time for extensive food importation has come to an end, identifying this change as a key component of the government’s economic recovery strategy.
In addition, Edun stated that the government was dedicated to assisting small-scale farmers by supplying essential resources, including seeds and fertilisers, through initiatives like the Nigerian Agricultural Growth Scheme.
The assistance will focus on improving harvests during both the wet and dry seasons, thereby minimising the reliance on imports in the short term and increasing productivity over the long term.
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Edun’s statements were made in the context of Nigeria’s struggle with increasing food prices and an agricultural sector that is yielding considerably below global standards.
To tackle this problem, the government aims to more than double agricultural productivity in the long run by improving local seed varieties and implementing better agricultural practices.
Hence, this effort to strengthen the agricultural sector is an essential aspect of a comprehensive economic reform, especially as the country deals with the effects of the recent removal of fuel subsidies.
As one of the largest economies in Africa, Nigeria’s agriculture sector could be key to unlocking the continent’s food potential.
