The federal government has said it is seriously considering the reintroduction of commodity board to check the escalating price of foods in the country.
Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari disclosed this on Wednesday in Abuja at the maiden ministerial press briefing organised by the Ministry of Information and National Orientation.
Kyari said food security is national security and the country can no longer allow foreigners to go to farm gates to buy food meant for the citizens.
The minister said the President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu was seriously concerned about the present food crisis in the which is why he has directed the distribution of 42,000 tons of grains to those in need for free.
According to him, “We have met with the leadership of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and the Department of State Services (DSS), to come up with modalities on how the grains would be distributed.”
Though he did not mention when the disbursement will commence, Kyari said: “On the issue of food scarcity, we all know that in March and April, just before the wet season, usually food prices go up. What we are seeing this time around in January and February means that the issue of supply and demand is taking place.
“The affordability aspect is the greatest challenge in which we find ourselves today. It is available in the market but it is not affordable. So these are the interventions the government is trying to do.
“The number one is to make food available which is through production and the off-take from the farms.
“We have directed the release of 42,000 tons of grains to be delivered freely to those who need it the most.
“We have met with NEMA. We have met with the DSS to give us the index to gather intelligence reports of where they are needed the most.
“What we are trying to do is to crash the price through the means of supply and demand.
“You will agree with me that today, anybody can go to farm gate and buy items even if it is somebody from India or any other country. We cannot continue that way, food security is national security.
“The. Planned commodity board is an arrangement for us to take charge of what is needed for the country in terms of securing supply of food for our teeming population, before others take.”
Earlier in his opening speech, Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, explained that the briefing was to acquaint citizens with the activities and policies of the government.
Idris said: “You will hear first-hand about what the Federal Government is doing, policies, programmes, targets and objectives, and you will be able to ask questions and receive relevant clarifications.
“We have also made efforts to ensure that this Briefing Series receives the widest possible coverage, through traditional and digital platforms.”