National Agricultural Goods Scheme To Combat Inflation
National Agricultural Goods Scheme To Be Implemented by Federal Government To Combat Inflation
The first stage of the National Agricultural Goods Scheme will be launched by the federal government in an effort to increase food production and reduce the nation's chronic food shortages and excessive food prices.
The plan focuses on cassava, maize, wheat, and rice cultivation.
This was disclosed by Dr. Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi, the minister of state for agriculture and food security, at the Nigeria Stored Product Research Institute (NSPRI)'s first Post-Harvest Connect Conference, which took place in Abuja on Thursday under the theme “Scaling Appropriate Post-Harvest Solutions for Sustainable Food and Nutrition Security.”
According to Abdullahi, Nigeria completed the first phase of the national agricultural goods strategy in 2023 and 2024, planting 180,652 hectares of millet, with an expected yield of between 55,600 and 75,000 metric tons of wheat grains for the impending rainy season.
He added that in order to build on previous successes, the government planned to target 600,000 hectares across the country, engaging 1.2 million farmers and five primary food crops: rice, maize, sorghum, soybeans, and cassava.
Abdullahi emphasized the value of cooperation while praising the initiative's sponsors and executive director. In order to gain access to creative solutions for post-harvest research and innovation, he urged research institutes to resume their cooperative efforts with Nigerians, especially the NSPRI.
Speaking to the audience Abdullahi emphasized the value of national post-harvest initiatives in a variety of agricultural zones and pushed organizations to guarantee sufficient funding in the budget for 2024.
He closed by saying he was confident Nigeria will soon become food and nutrition self-sufficient thanks to teamwork and cutting-edge technologies developed from events like the Post-Harvest Connect Conference.
The Minister then formally opened the inaugural Post-Harvest Connect Conference and Exhibition for the benefit of Federal Republic of Nigerian people.
Dr. Canisius Kanangire, the executive director of NSPRI, emphasized the necessity of suitable post-harvest solutions for long-term food and nutrition security.
“Farmers in Africa will become globally competitive through the use of the best technology, optimal agricultural practices, strategic product value addition, and boosted access to efficient markets within and outside Africa,” he stated.
Kanangire emphasized the significance of partnerships and collaboration for improved outcomes in supporting crucial parts of agricultural value chain development and emphasized NSPRI's focus on altering African farmers' livelihoods through innovative agricultural technologies.
He emphasized the necessity of customised solutions to successfully address the particular needs of each nation.
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