The Federal Executive Council has approved 2,000 tractors, 4,000 disc ploughs, and 1,200 tractor trailers, among other items, for the National Agricultural Mechanization Programme to increase food security in Nigeria.
This was disclosed in a statement shared on Wednesday by the Special Adviser on Information and Strategy to the president via his X handle, outlining the outcomes of the FEC meeting in Abuja.
Onanuga stated that the equipment will be supplied by DMCC firm, which is also planning to set up assembly plants for part of this equipment within the country.
“Procurement of 2000 tractors, 4000 disc ploughs, 1000 disc ridges, 1200 tractor trailers and assorted spare parts. The items to be supplied are for the National Agricultural Mechanization Programme(NAMP) to strengthen national food security.
“Astride DMCC, which has done a similar job in Zimbabwe, Kenya, South Africa and Togo, will supply all the equipment and will also set up a plant to assemble the machinery, in the second stage of the contract,” Onanuga said.
The FEC decision followed the recent announcement from the Minister of Agriculture, Senator Abubakar Kyari, that the government has agreed to suspend import taxes on specific food goods for 150 days.
Kyari also noted that the federal government will purchase 250,000 metric tonnes of wheat and maize to replenish its depleting strategic grain store.
In addition, the federal government will engage stakeholders to secure a Guaranteed Minimum Price (GMP) for commodities, increase output, particularly among smallholder farmers, during the 2024/2025 farming season, and promote the production of fortified food commodities, among other things.
Nigeria is grappling with a food security crisis, with food inflation reaching 40.5% as households across the country struggle to provide for their families.
The sharp spike in food prices is putting a tremendous strain on households across the country, exacerbating already difficult economic conditions.
With forecasts indicating that around 31 million Nigerians may face acute food shortages by August, the situation requires urgent attention and effective actions.
