The government is launching a subsidized rice programme in Lagos, Kano, and Borno states to tackle food insecurity in Nigeria.
The Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Abubakar Kyari, announced in September that they’re selling subsidised rice for N40,000 per 50kg in Abuja.
The goal is to make sure no Nigerian goes hungry.
He said the cheap rice program is meant to help people with the crazy high prices. Right now, a 50kg bag of rice costs around N90,000. In other places, it’s almost N100,000.
FG is giving out 30,000 metric tonnes of rice through this program. That’s like 1,000 trucks, each with 600 bags.
Also, Wale Edun, the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, said at a press conference in Abuja to celebrate Nigeria’s 64th Independence Day that we need to stop importing so much food. He said it’s a key part of the government’s plan to revive the economy.
“We should not be importing food. It is critical that we do not disrupt domestic food production. We mustn’t flood the market with imports,” he warned.