The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved the procurement of 2,000 tractors, 4,000 disc ploughs, and 1,200 tractor trailers as part of the National Agricultural Mechanization Programme (NAMP) aimed at enhancing food security in Nigeria.
In a statement shared on Wednesday, President Bola Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy announced the outcomes of the FEC meeting held in Abuja.
The equipment will be supplied by DMCC, a firm known for similar projects in Zimbabwe, Kenya, South Africa, and Togo. DMCC will also establish assembly plants for some of the machinery in Nigeria.
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The approved items include 2,000 tractors, 4,000 disc ploughs, 1,000 disc ridges, 1,200 tractor trailers, and assorted spare parts.
The equipment aims to strengthen the nation’s food security by improving agricultural mechanization.
Additionally, the Minister of Agriculture, Senator Abubakar Kyari, confirmed the government’s decision to suspend import duties on certain food items for 150 days.
This measure is part of broader efforts to address the ongoing food security crisis.
Kyari also announced plans to import 250,000 metric tonnes of wheat and maize to replenish the depleted strategic grain reserve.
The government will engage stakeholders to establish a Guaranteed Minimum Price (GMP) for commodities, enhance production among smallholder farmers for the 2024/2025 farming season, and promote the production of fortified food commodities.
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Nigeria is currently grappling with a food security crisis, with food inflation at 40.5% and a significant increase in staple food prices, especially grains, which have risen over 100% in the past year.
Projections indicate that approximately 31 million Nigerians could face severe food shortages by August, necessitating urgent and strategic interventions.
In response, the federal government recently announced plans to distribute N50,000 to 100,000 households across the country’s 36 states for three months and purchase food items worth N155 billion for nationwide distribution.
President Tinubu outlined these measures during the recent National Economic Council (NEC) meeting, where he also introduced construction, housing, and other support programs for Nigerians.
The President has called on state governors to work towards meeting the food security needs of their states, emphasizing the importance of collective effort in addressing the crisis.
