PRESIDENT TINUBU SET TO SIBSIDIZE FOOD ITEMS

The Federal Government has announced plans to establish a National Commodity Board aimed at addressing the escalating food prices in the country.

Vice President Kashim Shettima disclosed this initiative on Tuesday during a two-day, high-level strategic meeting on climate change, food systems, and resource mobilization held in Abuja.

Shettima outlined the board's mandate, which includes assessing and regulating food prices while maintaining a strategic food reserve to stabilize the prices of essential grains and other food items.

The announcement comes as part of the government's broader efforts to mitigate the effects of climate change and ensure food security for all Nigerians.

Shettima emphasized the importance of food security, highlighting its designation as one of the eight priority areas in President Bola Tinubu's Renewed Hope Agenda.

This commitment to addressing food security challenges prompted the declaration of a state of emergency on food security.

In his address, Shettima underscored ongoing policy reforms aimed at enhancing food and water availability and affordability.

These reforms encompass both immediate, medium, and long-term strategies to address the potential food crisis.

The short-term strategy involves revitalizing food supply through targeted interventions, including the distribution of fertilizers and grains to farmers and households to mitigate the impact of subsidy removal.

Additionally, collaboration between the Ministries of Agriculture and Water Resources is being fostered to facilitate efficient farmland irrigation, thereby ensuring year-round food production.

To address price volatility, the establishment of a National Commodity Board is proposed, which will play a pivotal role in regulating food prices and maintaining a strategic food reserve.

Shettima reassured the public that the Tinubu administration is fully committed to investing in the restoration of degraded land, a crucial aspect of sustainable agriculture and environmental conservation.