The Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Abubakar Kyari, has said prices of some essential food commodities have dropped by as much as 50 per cent compared with their levels before 2023.

Kyari made the statement on Monday in Maiduguri at the opening of a Community of Practice Meeting involving commissioners responsible for agriculture, health, environment and rural development from across the country.

The meeting was organised by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security in collaboration with the Borno State Government, with support from the German government.

The summit, themed “Stronger Partnerships for a Food Secure Nigeria,” focused on strengthening food production and improving food security across the country.

Kyari said the Federal Government’s priorities included increasing food production, making food more affordable, strengthening rural economies and building a more resilient food system.

“We have seen the reduction of up to 50 per cent in prices of some essential food commodities, alongside expanded input delivery, investment in rural infrastructure, and support to smallholder farmers,” he said.

The minister said President Bola Tinubu’s administration had made food security a major priority, urging Nigerians to assess its performance using available data rather than politicising the rising cost of living.

“Let’s be honest, how much was a bag of rice and maize in 2023, and how much is it now? What is the percentage? Let us not play politics with these things,” Kyari said.

He added that the Maiduguri meeting would review the Kampala Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) Declaration and its Strategy and Action Plan for 2026–2035.

According to Kyari, the Kampala framework focuses on sustainable food production, investment, financing, food and nutrition security, trade, inclusion, climate resilience and improved governance.

He said Nigeria had also developed and validated a 10-year National Agrifood System Strategy and Action Plan to fulfil its commitments under the framework.

Food Prices Have Fallen by Up to 50% Since 2023 – Kyari

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