How Nigeria can stop importing food – Wale Edun
Wale Edun, Nigeria's Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, announced that the country is on track to significantly reduce its reliance on imported food.He proposed an ambitious strategy for increasing domestic agricultural production and improving food security.
Edun made the announcement at a press conference in Abuja on Thursday, Nigeria's 64th Independence Day, according to The Punch.
He declared that the era of heavy food importation must end, describing this shift as a critical component of the government's economic recovery strategy.
"We should not be importing food," Edun said, emphasizing that Nigeria's future is in self-sufficiency.
He stated that the government is committed to assisting small-scale farmers by providing critical inputs such as seeds and fertilizers through programs like the Nigerian Agricultural Growth Scheme.
The assistance will aim to improve both wet and dry season harvests, lowering short-term import requirements while increasing long-term productivity.
To stabilize the food market immediately, the government has authorized maize and wheat imports.
However, Edun emphasized the importance of balancing these imports with a strong focus on domestic production.
"It's critical that we don't disrupt domestic food production. "It is critical that we do not disrupt agriculture in Nigeria by flooding the market with imports," he warned.
Edun emphasized that the transition away from food imports is not only economically necessary, but also a critical step toward Nigeria's future self-sufficiency.
"The assistance will concentrate on improving wet and dry season harvests, reducing the need for imports in the short term while increasing productivity in the long run.
As an immediate measure, the government has ordered maize and wheat imports to help stabilize the food market.
However, Edun emphasized the significance of balancing this with domestic production.
"It's critical that we don't disrupt domestic food production. "It is critical that we do not disrupt agriculture in Nigeria by flooding the market with imports," he warned.
Edun emphasized that the transition away from food imports is not only an economic necessity, but also a critical step toward Nigeria's goals.
"This is not where we should be," he stated about the country's reliance on imported food. He argued that the new strategy will lead to Nigeria's economic independence and food security.
Nigeria has been dealing with rising food prices and a struggling agricultural sector that produces significantly lower yields than global standards.
The government's long-term goal is to more than double agricultural productivity through improved local seed varieties and farming practices.
Meanwhile, Nigeria's Minister of Budget and National Planning, Abubakar Bagudu, has identified the country's growing population as a major challenge.
Bagudu stated that Nigeria's population has nearly doubled, from 119 million in 1999 to 230 million today, resulting in a significant increase in demand for infrastructure, education, and healthcare.
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