The distribution of 740 trucks of rice, while well-intentioned, is not an economically sound or sustainable solution to the hardship and high cost of living crisis in Nigeria.

Development Diaries reports that the federal government recently announced that it has distributed 740 trucks of rice to the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

It is understood that the distribution of trucks of rice was to ensure that the hardship in the country was ameliorated.

However, this does not sound like a solution to the extent of hardship Nigerians are going through as a result of high cost of living crisis.

Distributing rice provides only a short-term fix to the immediate hunger and hardship faced by citizens. Once the distributed rice is consumed, the underlying issues of high living costs remain unaddressed.

Also, for any meaningful economic progress, there needs to be a stable and predictable policy environment that encourages investment in agriculture and other critical sectors.

What is the government doing with respect to permanently reducing market prices for essential commodities like rice? There is an urgent need for policies that directly address market inefficiencies, such as improved regulations on middlemen and better price control mechanisms.

Addressing the high cost of foodstuffs and the hunger crisis goes beyond distribution efforts; it involves tackling systemic issues that contribute to high prices.

Inflation, supply chain disruptions, insecurity issues affecting farmers, and inefficient market systems are significant factors driving up food prices.

The government should shift its focus towards long-term strategies that address the root causes of high food prices and economic instability.

Responses like regulating market prices, investing in agriculture, and ensuring affordable prices for rice and other essentials should be a priority, which can be achieved through sustainable economic policies rather than temporary relief measures.

Development Diaries calls on the President Bola Tinubu-led government to prioritise policies that stabilise the economy, such as controlling inflation, enhancing transportation networks, and supporting small and medium agricultural enterprises to reduce the high costs of food for the common man to afford to feed.

Photo source: International Institute of Tropical Agriculture