Strategic Market Actions Behind Decline in Food Prices Nationwide- Kyari

The Federal Government has attributed the recent decline in food prices across the country to its targeted market interventions and sustained investments in agricultural production, processing, and post-harvest systems.

The Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, reviled at the 47th National Council on Agriculture and Food Security held in Kaduna.

Kyari explained that the government’s ongoing reforms under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration are focused on achieving food sovereignty ensuring Nigeria produces what it consumes while guaranteeing affordability and access for all households.

“As we continue along this path, we are already beginning to witness a decline in food prices across several commodities, a reflection of ongoing targeted market interventions. While we are not yet where we want to be, this positive trend confirms that we are moving in the right direction,” Kyari said.

The Minister highlighted the strengthening of the National Agricultural Growth Scheme–Agro-Pocket (NAGS-AP), implemented in collaboration with the African Development Bank (AfDB) and state governments, to enhance farmers’ access to quality agro-inputs. He noted that the initiative has boosted wheat production in irrigated and newly introduced rainfed farming areas in Plateau, Taraba, and Cross River States.

Kyari also revealed that operations at national strategic grain reserves in Zamfara, Katsina, Nasarawa, Adamawa, Niger, Osun, Edo, and Kwara States are being scaled up to stabilise supplies and cushion temporary market shortages.

“To strengthen national food security and stabilise prices, we are enhancing efficiency across national silo operations to ensure timely interventions,” he added.

As part of broader efforts to reduce post-harvest losses, Kyari announced the launch of the Nigeria Postharvest Systems Transformation Programme (NiPHaST), aimed at tackling post-harvest losses estimated at over $10 billion annually through improved storage, aggregation, and cold chain infrastructure.

He further disclosed that the Bank of Agriculture has been approved for ₦1.5 trillion recapitalisation and an additional ₦250 billion financing window to support smallholder farmers.

In partnership with Heifer Nigeria, the government has also rolled out a national agricultural mechanisation programme to establish youth- and women-led mechanisation service centres across all six geopolitical zones.

“Mechanisation will become a national service that modernises production, raises yields, and creates sustainable rural employment,” Kyari said.

Speaking at the event, the Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Dr. Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi, stressed the importance of climate-smart agriculture to ensure long-term productivity and resilience.

“We must adopt climate-smart practices that increase crop yields while building resilience,” Abdullahi said, citing investments in drought-tolerant crop varieties, integrated pest management, and the Nigerian Farmers’ Soil Health Scheme, which promotes soil-specific fertiliser application.

He also highlighted flagship initiatives such as the 500,000-hectare Dry Season Farming Scheme, renewable energy-powered irrigation projects, and the Every Home a Garden programme championed by the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, to promote household food production.

Both ministers reaffirmed the government’s commitment to transforming Nigeria into a regional food hub.

“Nigeria holds the largest agricultural potential in West Africa and is well-positioned to become a leading food supplier to the region. Our broader goals are to reduce import dependence, strengthen market confidence, and revive agribusiness,” Abdullahi stated.