News in brief:
-Â Nigerian advocacy group IMPI praises President Tinubu’s plan to combat food inflation by cultivating 500,000 hectares and collaborating with states.
-Â They see promise in additional measures like irrigation, import waivers, and social programs, while commending broader infrastructure and security initiatives.
The Independent Media and Policy Initiative (IMPI), a Nigerian pressure group, has lauded President Bola Tinubu’s plan to cultivate 500,000 hectares of land across the country as a key step in curbing rising food inflation.
Chief Niyi Akinsiju, the group’s chairman, speaking at a news conference in Abuja, commended the collaborative effort between the federal government and state governments to tackle the issue. He cited the latest National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) data from December 2023, showing a food inflation rate of 33.93%, highlighting the urgency of the initiative.
Akinsiju stated that findings had shown a commitment by the President to stem the tide of rising food prices. He added that this was evident in the approval of accelerated cultivation of 500,000 hectares of land across the country as well as other initiatives. He also noted the collaboration with state governments, while praising the cooperative approach as a promising model for future endeavours.
Irrigation program to support year-round farming, mechanisation waivers
Expressing optimism, Akinsiju predicted that Nigerians would soon reap the benefits of this joint effort. He further noted the government’s implementation of an irrigation program to support year-round farming, solidifying its commitment to food security.
IMPI’s research revealed additional agricultural policies aimed at addressing the food crisis. included import waivers for tractors and farm implements, and the launch of dry season farming in Jigawa State. This also included the allocation of â¦102 billion to the National Agricultural Development Fund (NADFUND).
“It is our view that these measures will guarantee adequate food supply in the shortest possible time,” Akinsiju asserted.
Beyond agriculture, IMPI lauded the administration’s focus on infrastructure development. Ongoing work on the Kaduna-Kano and Kano-Maradi rail projects were cited as evidence of a commitment to building an intermodal transportation system crucial for economic growth.
Furthermore, the group commended the â¦50 billion approval for the Pulaaku initiative. The initiative is a non-military approach to tackling insecurity in seven pilot states. This initiative emphasizes providing social amenities like schools, hospitals, housing, and sanitation facilities in areas plagued by violence.
