…FAO: 31.8 million Nigerians at risk of acute food insecurity.
By Dele Ogbodo
The Federal Government through the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, has said that government has outlined plans to cultivate 500,000 hectares of farmlands across the country to grow maize, rice, wheat, millet and other staple crops to boost food supply and affordability.
The Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Dr. Aliyu Abdullahi, made the disclosure at the 2024 World Food Day celebration with the theme: ‘Right to Food for a Better Life and a Better Future’at the Ministry’s Headquarters in Abuja, hinted that the strategy involves collaboration with state governments to stem inflation and enhance food security in the country.
According to Abdullahi, the day is set aside to raise awareness about the global food security issues, promote global cooperation and action to address hunger and malnutrition, support sustainable agriculture and food systems, adding that it is to initiate policies to ensure food accessibility, availability, and affordability and inspire collective action to achieve zero hunger.
Meanwhile, the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), Country Representative in Nigeria, Mr. Salisu Mohammed, said the March 2024 Cadre Harmonisé (CH) projected 31.8 million Nigerians at risk of acute food insecurity.
He added that recently, Nigeria was hit with devastating floods causing food loss of 855 629 mt. This is equivalent to the amount of food which could feed 8.5 million people for 6 months.
Abdullahi, quoted FAO as saying that around 733 million people faced hunger in 2023, which is equivalent to one in eleven people globally and one in five people in Africa.”
The Minister added that about 2.33 billion people globally faced moderate or severe food insecurity in 2023, and over 2.8 billion people were unable to afford a healthy diet in 2022. FAO has warned that, if current trends continue, about 582 million people will be chronically undernourished in 2030, half of them in Africa.
“In particular, rural areas are disproportionately affected, with a third of rural adults experiencing moderate or severe food insecurity. These long-term consequences of hunger lead to inter-generational poverty and inequality, reduced economic growth and development, increased dependence on foreign aid and assistance as well as decreased global competitiveness.
“It is important to state that the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 1 and 2 have highlighted ending poverty and hunger alongside several key issues. Addressing these issues requires concerted efforts from governments, national and international organizations and individuals to ensure that everyone has access to basic necessities like food, shelter, healthcare, education, portable water among others.” The Minister said.
The right to food, Abdullahi, said is recognized as a fundamental human right in the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights and enshrined in the 1966 International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural rights. This Right is also protected by regional treaties and national constitutions.
According to him, the global hunger is severe and far-reaching, explaining that the continued conflicts and displacement, economic shocks and instability, inflation and rising food prices have had a devastating impact on global food supply.
Adding to the multiple challenges facing global food security he said are the colossal ramifications of climate change with increased incidences of droughts, floods, heavy rainfall, heat waves, desertification and rising ocean temperatures. These threats adversely affect not only food production but also agricultural livelihoods, with developing countries bearing the disproportionate burden.
The Minister said Nigeria’s current state of food security is threatened by continuous intensification of insecurity alongside economic shocks, floods and subsidy removal. To address underlying challenges impacting the attainment of our national food security goals, the Federal Government of Nigeria is implementing numerous economic reforms to stimulate productive capacity, create jobs and reduce cost of living. Emergency responses and targeted humanitarian actions have also been taken to ameliorate food crisis in the country.
He said: “As a result of the Federal Government’s policy initiatives and innovative funding, much has been achieved in the sector. For example, in 2017, Nigeria recorded significant achievement in the global agricultural sector.
“It ranked first in Cassava and Yam production with 59.4 million tons and 47.9 million tons respectively. It also ranked the 14th in Maize production with 10.42 million tons and 4th in Palm oil with 7.7 million tons in the same year.
“Furthermore, in 2019, Nigeria became the largest producer of rice in Africa with a production level of 9 million metric tons. This indeed, is a true testimony of our overall commitment to boosting agriculture and providing sufficient food to the teeming population.
“Building on the momentum to end hunger and promote sustainable agriculture, the present administration under President Bola Tinubu, is implementing lots of policies, programmes and initiatives to ensure the right to food for a better life and better future in Nigeria by placing food security as a top-most national priority in its Renewed Hope Agenda.
“This year, the Nigerian government has ordered for immediate release of more than 102,000 metric tons of Maize, Millet, Garri in addition to other food commodities from the National Food Reserve to Nigerians as a temporary response to the nation’s rising cost of food. The administration has also resorted to importing some food commodities as an interim measure to augment food shortages.”
The Minister however, said that the global hunger and food crisis demand collective action, acknowledging that national governments have a responsibility to make sure that their people have enough to eat.
Although many governments have limited resources to do so, this has necessitated the call for effective international solidarity, he said.
On support from international agencies and partners, he commended the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), World Food Programme, Nestle Nigeria, Oxfam, Action Aid, National Agricultural Foundation of Nigeria, All Farmers’ Association of Nigeria for their contribution toward the success of this year’s World Food Day.
In his remark at the event, the Assistant Country Representative, FAO in Nigeria, Mr. Salisu Mohammed, said Nigeria faces similar challenges of food to the rest of the world.
According to him, climate-related crises – drought and floods,• Economic situation-inflation of prices and limited quality/production, • Insecurity levels – farmer/herder clashes-banditry – the insurgency of Boko Haram, o limited livelihood options, • restricted access to functional markets.
Nigeria will face adversities again but there are solutions if we work together, the FAO, representative, added.
On what can be done, he said a holistic approach including government, private sector, civil society, and local communities, adding that government-needs to provide enabling environment for production and equitable access to safe and nutritious diets for all through its agrifood systems policies and programmes. This will encourage private sector investment in agrifood value chains and provide job opportunities.
“The private sector must be responsible for driving large scale production through deployment of innovative technologies and transparent business models.
“United Nations (FAO) – provides technical support to government to overcome challenges of low productivity, extreme weather conditions, policies and strategies
“Youth are crucial stakeholders in this effort. Engaging young people in agricultural innovation and sustainable practices is essential for fostering a food-secure future. We must empower them to become advocates for healthy diets and sustainable agrifood systems.
“Women are crucial in the agriculture sector. Women need a space at the table to be part of the dialogue in decision making
“Research institutes and universities – funding research to develop resistant and high yielding varieties, introduction of new technologies and techniques, Biotechnology offers solutions for developing resilient crops that can withstand climate change and pests, thereby ensuring food security.” Mohammed said.
