The Federal Government has announced a 150-day duty-free import window for food commodities in a new move to address the increasing cost of food prices.
The Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Abubakar Kyari, who made the announcement in a post on his X handle on Wednesday, said the measures introduced will be implemented over the next 180 days.
According to the Minister, this will involve the suspension of duties, tariffs, and taxes for the importation of certain food commodities through land and sea borders.
These commodities include maize, husked brown rice, wheat, and cowpeas, noting that imported food commodities will be subjected to a Recommended Retail Price (RRP).
He also disclosed that the Federal Government will import 250,000 metric tons of wheat and 250,000 metric tons of maize.
These semi-processed commodities, Kyari added, will be supplied to small-scale processors and millers across the country.
Other measures to be implemented by the government include engagement with relevant stakeholders to set a GMP and purchase surplus food commodities to restock the National Strategic Food Reserve, renewed Hope National Livestock Transformation Implementation Committee and enhancement of Nutrition Security.
Kyari said the ministry will, in close collaboration with the Presidential Food Systems Coordinating Unit and the Economic Management Team, convene with respective agencies to finalize the implementation frameworks over the next 14 days.