FG Set To Release 42,000 Tons Of Grains To Vulnerable Nigerians
By Ene Okwanihe, Abuja
In line with ongoing efforts to reduce hunger and hardship in the country, the Nigerian government says the proposed 42,000 Tons of grain planned to be released from the strategic grains reserve will be distributed to Vulnerable Nigerians for free in the coming days.
The Minister of Agriculture and Food Security Sen Abubakar Kyari stated this at Ministerial media briefing which held in Abuja, Nigeria’s Capital city.
Sen. Kyari while reeling out the steps taken and plans to end hunger, said the Ministry is working with the National Emergency Management Agency NEMA to reach the most vulnerable Nigerians across different communities in the countr.
“Basically the other interventions we are looking at is the grains reserve currently we have 53,000 metric tons of grains in our reserve, in our silos across the country, we have requested to release 42,000 metric tons, for a very good reason, we need the remaining 11,000 metrics ton for any eventualities, in fact it is stated that we must of a buffer.. so the 42,000 is in the process of release and we are waiting for indexes, we are also talking with NEMA so that we can get the grains to where it is needed the most”
” The grains will be given to the needy free of charge, they would get it at no cost at all”
FARMER’S SUPPORT
On the issue of making inputs available to farmers to further boost food production in the country, the Minister said government is subsidizing fertilisers for farmers.
Sen. Kyari said farmers will be getting 3 bags of fertiliser for the price of half bag of fertiliser.
” What in essence the farmer gets is 3 bags.. we have also gone ahead because we have intervention funds from Mr. President to further subsidize so we are expecting the farmer to pay for half a bag of fertiliser and he gets 3 bags all this also includes agro chemicals, free seeds”
MULTIPLE TAXATION
While Addressing the issue of multiple Taxation and harassment of agro commodities trucks on Nigerian roads, Sen. Kyari stated that it was time for the Nigeria to have national policy to check the menace of multiple Taxation and the activities.
A situation Kyari attested that it contributes to high cost food in the market adding that drastic steps has to be taken.
“We have to make a national policy because of the food security aspect, in fact I had mentioned to the Honourable Minister that we need to take drastic steps to stop it, because if you look at it even from the Local Government, the security agencies are involved we cannot shy away from it, they are out there even at the toll gates simply because food is now viewed as a trading commodity not as a necessity for food security for the nation”
Sen. kyari also hammered on the need to have a comprehensive national data of farmers, noting that the Ministry is working towards achieving a comprehensive farmers data in order to cut off portfolio farmers.
Oyenike Oyeniyi
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