The Federal Government has attributed the recent drop in food prices across the country to increased local production, targeted agricultural interventions, and the commencement of the harvest season.

 

Sen. Aliyu Abdullahi, Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, disclosed this in Abuja on the sidelines of activities marking the 2025 World Food Day.

 

Abdullahi said the government’s flagship agricultural programmes, particularly the National Agricultural Growth Scheme (NAGS) Agro-Pocket, were yielding results through enhanced crop production and farmer support.

 

“The National Agricultural Growth Scheme is a flagship programme designed to boost agricultural production, enhance food security, improve farmers’ livelihoods, and promote sustainable practices,” he said.

 

The minister explained that since 2023, the Federal Government had embarked on large-scale production through the NAGS Agro-Pocket initiative, which has significantly boosted the output of key commodities.

 

“We injected almost 500,000 metric tonnes or more of wheat, as well as maize, cassava, and other key commodities. This ramped-up production is what’s responsible for the drop in food prices,” Abdullahi said.

 

He noted that the Agro-Pocket component leverages digital technology to streamline input distribution, ensure transparent subsidy management, and enable seamless transactions for farmers. The initiative, he added, is jointly supported by the African Development Bank (AfDB) and the Federal Government.

 

Abdullahi also linked the price decline to the ongoing harvest season, which traditionally increases food availability and lowers prices.

 

“We are now in the harvest period, starting from the southern parts of the country to the central and northern regions. During this period, food prices will continue to fall,” he stated.

 

The minister said the government had developed short-term measures to make farm inputs more accessible and affordable, particularly for smallholder farmers facing economic challenges.

 

“In line with President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to ease economic hardship, we are supporting smallholder farmers in all the states of the federation and the FCT with vital farm implements and inputs,” he said.

 

According to Abdullahi, the inputs will be provided free of charge and distributed through Agricultural Commodity Associations, Farmers’ Cooperatives, Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), women, youths, and farmers with special needs.

 

He further disclosed that the Federal Government had intensified investments in the sector through the Renewed Hope Agricultural Mechanisation Initiative, aimed at empowering smallholder farmers and strengthening food and nutrition security.

 

Abdullahi commended state governments for complementing federal efforts by contributing to national food reserves through buffer stock programmes and free input distribution, which he said had helped reduce production costs.

 

“Let us continue to advocate for policies and initiatives that will provide short, medium, and long-term solutions to address hunger, food waste, and promote sustainable farming practices,” he added.