Government warns against food hoarding amid efforts to boost production

In a bid to bolster food production across the nation, the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Abubakar Kyari, has issued a stern caution against the detrimental practices of hoarding and speculative trading.

Speaking at a special Ramadan lecture/Iftar event organized by the Special Assistant to the President on Agriculture and Food Security, Mufutau Yinusa, and the Asiwaju Project Beyond 2023 NGO in Abuja, Minister Kyari underscored the urgency of the situation.

Addressing the gathering under the theme “Gratitude, Patience and Vision: Embracing challenges with Optimism,” Minister Kyari lamented the soaring costs of food items, attributing part of the problem to insecurity hampering agricultural production and exacerbated by hoarding practices.

Highlighting the severity of the issue, Kyari revealed discoveries of warehouses where gates were removed and walls erected to stockpile foodstuff, implicating certain individuals in speculative trade activities.

Dismissing scapegoating, he urged for collective responsibility, emphasizing that resolving the crisis necessitates a united effort.

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Echoing Kyari’s sentiments, Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Aliyu Abdullahi, urged Muslims to utilize the Ramadan period for prayers for the nation and its leaders. He reaffirmed the government’s dedication to collaborating with stakeholders to tackle the prevailing economic hurdles.

Reiterating the government’s unwavering commitment to ensuring food security amidst confronting security challenges head-on, Kyari affirmed continuous efforts in this regard.

As the Federal Government intensifies its endeavors to bolster food production and combat insecurity, the call to curb hoarding and speculative trading resonates as a pivotal step towards ensuring equitable access to essential food items for all citizens.