FG distributes 58,500 tonnes of rice nationwide to mitigate food price hikes
The Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Abubakar Kyari, announced that the ministry has procured and distributed 58,500 metric tonnes of milled rice to curb escalating food prices in the country.
Mr Kyari made this disclosure during his presentation at the ministerial sectoral update, commemorating President Bola Tinubu’s first anniversary, on Monday in Abuja.
He highlighted that the ministry’s presidential priority under the Renewed Hope Agenda is to boost agriculture to achieve food security, enhance infrastructure, and improve transportation as growth enablers. Additionally, the focus is on improving governance for effective service delivery.
“We inaugurated dry-season farming with the cultivation of 118,657 hectares of wheat in 15 states to accelerate year-round farming.
“We supported 107,429 wheat farmers with inputs, resulting in an output of 474,628 metric tonnes. This injected an estimated value of N309 billion into the economy,” Mr Kyari explained.
Mr Kyari mentioned that, in response to a presidential directive, the ministry released 42,000 metric tonnes of assorted food commodities from the federal government strategic food reserve to the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) for distribution.
He also noted the ministry’s efforts to fortify crops with vitamin A micronutrients to enhance food commodities’ nutritional content and health value.
In addressing the ginger blight disease affecting some parts of the country, Mr Kyari stated that the ministry implemented an initiative to combat the disease by disbursing N1.6 billion to support affected ginger farmers in Kaduna and Plateau states.
Additionally, a ginger master plan was developed to facilitate self-sufficiency and promote exports for foreign exchange earnings.
On pest control, the minister reported that the ministry conducted aerial operations to mitigate transboundary pests.
These operations involved 1,030 flight hours across the frontline states of Adamawa, Bauchi, Gombe, Jigawa, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Sokoto, Taraba, Yobe, and Zamfara to prevent the spread of these pests.
(NAN)
We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.
More from Peoples Gazette
Agriculture
FG tasks ECOWAS on leveraging financing strategies for agroecology
The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors in the West Africa region to leverage financing strategies to enhance agroecology practices
Politics
Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku
“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”
States
Tinubu advised me never to negotiate with criminals, Gov Ododo says
“I don’t play with criminals, and I don’t negotiate with them. I can tell you that, as far as Kogi State is concerned, we don’t have a department for ransom payment,” he said.
Heading 1
U.S. has spent $37.5 billion on Iran war: Hegseth
“The estimate we have as of today is $37.5 billion,” Mr Hegseth said.
Lagos
Slain Lagos NURTW organising secretary buried amid tears
Mr Ajiboye died days after he was attacked by gunmen.
Africa
144 refugees, migrants dead, missing off Mauritania coast: UNHCR
“The refugees and migrants were reported dead or missing after attempting the perilous sea journey from West Africa towards Europe,” the agency said.
World
U.S. govt condemns Ortega’s ban on elections in Nicaragua
Mr Rubio urged the international community to rise against Mr Ortega’s dictatorship.
World
Zelensky sacks Ukraine’s top general after firing defence minister
Mr Syrskyi’s dismissal came days after Mr Zelensky fired Ukraine’s defence minister, Mykhailo Fedorov, a decision that sparked protests across the country.
