In an effort to increase agricultural output and address the food problem, President Bola Tinubu said that his administration had bought mechanised farming equipment worth billions of naira from nations like Belarus, Brazil, and the United States.
He revealed this information on Sunday while speaking to the nation on the ongoing hunger strike at the State House in Abuja.
In order to boost local food production, the President declared that the government intended to cultivate more than 10 million hectares of land. He clarified that although the states would supply the land, the federal government would provide all essential incentives for this project.
According to him, the goal of this endeavour is to greatly increase food production and provide jobs for millions of Nigerians.
“I have been meeting with our Governors and key Ministers to accelerate food production. We have distributed fertilizers. Our target is to cultivate more than 10 million hectares of land to grow what we eat.”
“The Federal Government will provide all necessary incentives for this initiative, whilst the states provide the land, which will put millions of our people to work and further increase food production.”
“In the past few months, we have also ordered mechanized farming equipment such as tractors and planters, worth billions of Naira from the United States, Belarus, and Brazil. I can confirm to you that the equipment is on the way,” Tinubu explained.
Tariff suspension on food products and other goods
In his speech, the president additionally emphasized that, as part of his efforts to lower food inflation, import levies on food imports into the nation will remain suspended.
He predicted that the six-month suspension would contribute to a decrease in market pricing.
He added that this program also covers other pharmaceutical products, including medications, and that it will lower the cost of these goods.
“We are providing incentives to farmers to increase food production at affordable prices.”
“I have directed that tariffs and other import duties should be removed on rice, wheat, maize, sorghum, drugs, and other pharmaceutical and medical supplies for the next 6 months, in the first instance, to help drive down the prices,” Tinubu added.
What to note
With food inflation over 40%, Nigeria is experiencing one of its worst cost of living problems in decades.
Due to the enormous anxiety this has caused among the public, many people are now taking to the streets to express their disapproval of the nation’s dire economic situation.
Ten days are anticipated to pass during the hunger strike, also known as the #EndBadGovernance protests.
Furthermore, well-meaning Nigerians have demanded that the president address the nation as a result of the demonstration’s deaths, damage to public property, and looting in various areas of the country.
After this speech, some people think it will allay the annoyance of many Nigerians, while others maintain the president needs to do more than just give a speech—he needs to address the issues that Nigerians are facing.
