The Federal Government has revealed that Nigeria requires at least 25 million tonnes of maize every year to meet growing national demand and strengthen food security across the country. This disclosure was made by the Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Aliyu Abdullahi, during the Quarterly Citizens and Stakeholders Engagement meeting held in Abuja on Friday.
According to the minister, the government is intensifying efforts to boost local maize production as part of a broader strategy to reduce dependence on food imports and ensure le food supply nationwide. He explained that increasing domestic agricultural output remains a key priority in addressing Nigeria’s food security challenges.
Abdullahi stated that the ministry is focused on expanding local production so that affordable and nutritious food can be accessible to all Nigerians. He noted that several ongoing government interventions in agriculture are already producing positive results, particularly in ilising food prices in markets across the country.
The minister revealed that the prices of major food commodities have dropped by nearly 50 percent in many parts of the country due to these efforts. According to him, the government is also tackling high input costs faced by farmers in order to maintain a steady and affordable food supply.
He added that strategic investments in agricultural value chains are positioning Nigeria to become a major player in the global agricultural market. As part of this effort, the ministry has prioritised key crops including maize, rice and wheat. These crops, he said, create opportunities for millions of smallholder farmers, processors and other stakeholders within the agricultural sector.
Abdullahi further explained that the ministry’s policies are aligned with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu, which aims to achieve food sovereignty and strengthen the country’s agricultural economy.
He emphasised that Nigeria must work towards producing what it consumes while also consuming what it produces. The government is therefore implementing reforms designed to transform the agricultural sector and significantly increase production levels across priority crops.
The minister also urged stakeholders in the agricultural sector to collaborate closely with state ministries of agriculture to improve productivity nationwide.
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