The Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Abubakar Kyari, says prices of some essential food commodities have fallen by as much as 50 per cent across Nigeria. Kyari made the statement on Monday in Maiduguri, Borno State, during the opening of a Community of Practice Meeting for Commissioners responsible for Agriculture, Health, Environment and Rural […]
The Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Abubakar Kyari, says prices of some essential food commodities have fallen by as much as 50 per cent across Nigeria.
Kyari made the statement on Monday in Maiduguri, Borno State, during the opening of a Community of Practice Meeting for Commissioners responsible for Agriculture, Health, Environment and Rural Development.
The meeting was organised by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security alongside the Borno State Government, with support from Germany.
The gathering was held under the theme, “Stronger Partnerships for a Food Secure Nigeria.”
Speaking to participants, Kyari said President Bola Tinubu had made food security a major priority of the national agenda.
He said the government was working to translate that priority into increased agricultural production, improved affordability, stronger rural economies and a more resilient food system.
According to Kyari, prices of some essential food commodities have reduced by up to 50 per cent, while the government has also expanded input delivery and invested in rural infrastructure.
He also cited support for smallholder farmers as part of efforts to improve food production and affordability.
The minister urged Nigerians to compare the prices of commodities such as rice and maize today with their prices in 2023.
“Let’s be honest, how much was a bag of rice and maize in 2023, and how much is it now?” Kyari asked, adding, “Let us not play politics with these things.”
The minister said the meeting would consider the Kampala Comprehensive African Development Program Declaration and its Strategy and Action Plan covering 2026–2035.
He explained that the framework focuses on areas including sustainable agricultural production, investment, food and nutrition security, trade, inclusion, resilience and governance.
Kyari said Nigeria’s agricultural decisions could have consequences beyond its borders, including effects on regional markets and Africa’s broader agrifood transformation.
He disclosed that Nigeria had developed and validated a 10-Year National Agrifood System Strategy and Action Plan to implement the commitments.
The minister urged states to focus on practical implementation of the framework and align their action plans with national priorities.
He identified rural infrastructure, extension services, credit, quality agricultural inputs, labour-saving technologies, post-harvest loss reduction and climate-resilient agriculture among the areas requiring attention.
Meanwhile, the Head of Development Cooperation at the German Embassy in Nigeria, Dr Karin Jansen, reaffirmed Germany’s commitment to supporting Nigeria’s agricultural policy processes.
Jansen said German Development Cooperation would continue supporting Nigerian partners in strengthening agricultural policies, scaling successful approaches and promoting civil society participation.
She said the success of the Kampala Agenda would ultimately be measured by improvements in policies, institutions, investments and the lives of Nigerians.