[size=14pt]FG Releases 45,000 Tons of Food Items[/size]
11 August 2010

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President Goodluck Jonathan has ordered the release of 45,000 tons of various food items for sale to the public across the country at subsidised rates.

The Minister of Agriculture, Prof. Sheikh Abdallah, made the announcement on Tuesday in Minna, while flagging-off the release and sale of the food items from the National Strategic Food Reserve.

He said the gesture was aimed at cushioning the high costs of food items in the country.

"The president has directed that food items be released at subsidised prices from the National Strategic Food Reserve to cushion the effects of high prices.

"This marks yet another milestone in our bid to ensure food security to our teeming population", he said.

The minister, represented by Mr. Olawole Babalola, Deputy Director, Budget, said the food items, which include maize, sorghum, millet, soyabeans and garri would be sold at 30 percent subsidised rate.

He disclosed that the Guaranteed Minimum Price (GMP) programme of the Federal Government would ensure that farmers would be able to dispose of their farm produce at "remunerative producers prices".

He added that GMP would also help to reduce wastages occasioned by lack of marketing outlets, adding that it would encourage farmers to produce more and ensure food security.

In his address at the occasion, the Niger State governor, Babangida Aliyu, said the state government had embarked on a similar programme like the GMP to cushion the effects of high costs of foodstuff in the state.

Represented by the Commissioner for Agriculture, Alhaji Aminu Yusuf, the governor said the programme would ensure that the people had a tranquil atmosphere during the Ramadan fast. NAN

http://allafrica.com/stories/201008120241.html

This is very good news indeed. Where are all those people talking about presidential jets that were in the budget anyway? I guess this sort of topic wouldn't interest them.

Beaf:

This is very good news indeed. Where are all those people talking about presidential jets that were in the budget anyway? I guess this sort of topic wouldn't interest them.

actually that's the problem, just because its in the budget don't mean he should go ahead like Johnny just come

this policy of releasing grains especially after the rains or during ramadan, is nothing different, its not A NEW DIRECTION, he is just doing what has been done

Your man is not doing anything new, he is not reviewing any policy, he is not stepping on any toes,he is making everyone comfortable, he is just waking up and sleeping really, cos everything is already in the budget, everything has been done before!

what happened to his assessment of the wasteful agricultural/water projects under Ruma?

^
Are you saying that releasing subsidised food for the masses is a bad thing? I'm sure mai guards, market women and men and the other down trodden will welcome this thoughtful gesture with open arms.

Subsidizing food items better not be the official economic policy of this regime.
It's very short termed, diversionary, and simply creats more loop holes for corruption. We're still battling fuel subsidies started on the same premise. While it's popular of course, many economist will agree that it's very short term at best and almost criminal at worst, because for every $100 shared out to the milling masses, officials usually misappropriate another $1000.
How about making it easier to produce these items in Nigeria?

Great TEMPORARY MOVE, but how long does he really expect this supply to last? And subsidizing food cost better be just for this ooo. I hope this is for ramadan or something. If agricultural funds promised as far back as 2008 are not released, then this is not going to go anywhere to solve the major problem with food supply in Nigeria.

naijaking1:

Subsidizing food items better not be the official economic policy of this regime.
It's very short termed, diversionary, and simply creats more loop holes for corruption. We're still battling fuel subsidies started on the same premise. While it's popular of course, many economist will agree that it's very short term at best and almost criminal at worst, because for every $100 shared out to the milling masses, officials usually misappropriate another $1000.
How about making it easier to produce these items in Nigeria?

Its actually a scheme to buy direct from farmers in a way that ensures that their produce does not waste and ensures they are renumerated.
So its killing many birds with one stone.

Of course, the food in the national reserve cannot last forever as well, so why not sell at subsidised prices that will be balm for many a hungry belly?

Good move I'd say.

Hmmm. . .hope this is not a trap.They've doe it b4,with fuel

Jonathan is the man

I reckon some people will hoard some food items

and probably go sell it off at its actual RRP