The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved the purchase of 2,000 tractors, 4,000 disc ploughs, 1,200 tractor trailers, and several other pieces of equipment through the National Agricultural Mechanisation Programme (NAMP) to address food insecurity in Nigeria. Bayo Onanuga, President Bola Tinubu's Special Advisor on Information and Strategy, shared this information via his X handle while summarizing the conclusions of the FEC meeting that took place in Abuja on Thursday.
According to Bayo Onanuga, “Procurement of 2000 tractors, 4000 disc ploughs, 1000 disc ridges, 1200 tractor trailers and assorted spare parts. The items to be supplied are for the National Agricultural Mechanization Programme(NAMP) to strengthen national food security.
“Astride DMCC, which has done a similar job in Zimbabwe, Kenya, South Africa and Togo, will supply all the equipment and will also set up a plant to assemble the machinery, in the second stage of the contract.”
Additionally, the federal government announced that it will work with stakeholders to establish a Guaranteed Minimum Price (GMP) for commodities, increase output in the 2024–2025 growing season, particularly for smallholder farmers, and support the development of fortified food commodities, among other things.
The situation in Nigeria is becoming more challenging as the country faces a food security crisis. Food inflation has reached 40.5%, making it difficult for households to provide for their families. The cost of staple foods, particularly grains, has increased by over 100% in the past year.
In response, the federal government has announced plans to provide ₦50,000 to 100,000 households across the 36 states for three months. Additionally, the government will purchase food items worth ₦155 billion to distribute across the country.