FG targets 135m MT output of staple crops in 2024
To address food security challenges, Nigeria aims to boost staple crop production to 135 million metric tons (MT) in 2024, a 6% increase from 127 million MT in 2023. The federal government’s Accelerated Stabilization and Advancement Plan (ASAP) includes opening borders for rice paddy imports, suspending import duties, and enhancing farmer support through mechanization. The plan also includes importing seeds, onboarding two million farmers, and addressing food inflation driven by production shortfalls and naira devaluation. Additional measures include developing infrastructure, training extension workers, and improving inputs and farming techniques to increase productivity and sustainability. Source: Business Day
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The Nigerian government’s Accelerated Stabilization and Advancement Plan (ASAP) targets food security by increasing staple crop production to 135 million metric tons in 2024. This 6% rise from 2023’s 127 million metric tons is crucial for meeting domestic demand and reducing food inflation, which reached a decade-high of 40% in March 2024. The plan’s emphasis on mechanization, improved seed imports, and infrastructural development—such as expanding irrigable land and rehabilitating rural roads—addresses critical production constraints. Training 36,000 extension workers and promoting climate-smart agricultural techniques will enhance farmers’ productivity and sustainability, ensuring they adopt best practices and modern technologies. By improving input accessibility and establishing support frameworks like the National Grain Reserves, Nigeria aims to mitigate the effects of climate change and land use conflicts on agriculture. Additionally, removing import duties and VAT on essential agricultural items should stabilize food prices and curb inflation. This comprehensive approach not only bolsters food security but also stimulates economic growth by fostering a resilient and productive agricultural sector. Policymakers and stakeholders need to support these initiatives to ensure long-term agricultural sustainability and economic stability.
