Bukola Afeni
The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy of Nigeria, Wale Edun said the FG has unveiled plans to boost food production in Nigeria.
He said the measure is aimed to curb inflation and ensure affordability of essential goods in the country.
While Speaking at the 2024 IMF/World Bank Annual Meetings in Washington DC, Edun emphasized that food prices contribute 50% of the Consumer Price Index, making increased food production crucial.
“To achieve this, the government will enhance the wet season harvest and support small-scale farmers for a robust dry season yield. Additionally, 600,000 farmers will be assisted to cultivate 1 million hectares for wheat in November and rice in early 2024”.
He said the initiative is part of government’s efforts to address the rising hunger crisis in Nigeria,
Senator Jimoh Ibrahim’s proposal to distribute food vouchers to low-income citizens.
Senator Jimoh Ibrahim, Chair of the Senate Inter-Parliamentary Committee, suggested that food vouchers would be more effective than the current cash transfer initiative in tackling food insecurity among vulnerable Nigerians.
