FG Allocates N250bn for Agriculture and Food Security

The Federal Government of Nigeria has announced the deployment of N250 billion in agricultural credit and the release of 2.15 million bags of fertilizer to support farmers and enhance food security across the country. This initiative was disclosed by the Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi, during an interview on Trust TV's Business Daily program.

The measures are part of the government's response to the food security challenges identified by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who declared a state of emergency in food security in 2023. The program includes a dry season farming initiative and the National Agricultural Growth Scheme, aimed at increasing agricultural productivity through year-round farming policies.

Abdullahi emphasized that food security encompasses not only production but also access and affordability. He noted the impact of rising food prices on staple crops such as maize, rice, wheat, and cassava, and highlighted recent interventions to support tomato farmers facing pest attacks.

The government is also managing import limits to stabilize supply in critical sectors.