The Federal Government has announced readiness to commence the distribution of 42,000 metric tons of assorted grains next week.

It, also promised to commence the second phase of the dry season farming project next week.

On February 14, Abubakar Kyari, the minister of agriculture and food security, at the maiden ministerial briefing, announced the immediate disbursement of grains to cushion the effect of economic austerity.

But Kyari, who addressed journalists along side the Governor of Niger State on Thursday in Abuja, said the process would commence next week without giving any reason for the postponement.

Kyari explained that Niger State would be used as a pilot state for the distribution with the support of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), the Armed Forces, Police Force and other security agencies.

He said: “Hopefully, by next weekend we should be able to roll off. We are starting with Niger State then we will go to all the zones for distribution, it is 42, 000 metric tons of assorted grains like maize, sorghum, millet and garri.

“You know delivery is another issue. As soon as possible, we are going to start. We are starting with local governments to the states.

“So, it would be on the template of NEMA. It is the one doing the distribution through the office of the national security adviser.”

He assured Nigerians that the distribution would be transparent, contrary to what happened in the past.