EXCLUSIVE: Nigerians May Go Hungry Soon, UN Warns

As predicted by the United Nations, UN, 82 million Nigerian, that is about 64 per cent of the nation’s population, may go hungry by 2030, and they’re calling on the Government to tackle atmospheric change, pest outbreak, and other dangers hindering agricultural productivity.

In accordance to the National Bureau of Statistics, the Nigeria’s food Inflation rate had hit a high record of 40.66 per cent in May 2024, exceeding the previous month’s 4.53 per cent. The hike of food prices in the country had made UN make such prediction.

The records of food prices had began in the year 1996, this wave has represented the largest year on year food prices increase in the country.

According to history, the food inflation in Nigeria, has always been average 13.42 per cent, and the lowest point had been -17.50 percent in January 2000.

The food and Agricultural Organization, in the year 2023, had forseen that, nothing less than 2.6 million Nigerians in Borno, Zamfara, and Sokoto States, and also, the FCT, may probably face food crisis, between June and August, 2024.

According to Cadre Harmonisé analysis, in March 2024, roughly 4.8 million people in Yobe, Adamawa, and Borno States, are going through extreme food insecurity, which is the highest in seven years.

On the 2024 May Day, the Organized Labour conveyed their concerns on the rising food prices and fuel scarcity in the country, which is likely affect the survival of workers. Also Olisa Agbakoba, A Senior Advocate of Nigeria, had recently called on the Federal Government, to act swiftly, so as to avoid hunger riot might breaking out in Nigeria.

The Resident Humanitarian Coordinator of the Food and Agriculture Organisation, represented by one of the UN officials, Taofiq Braimoh, was speaking at the launch of CropWatch in Abuja, that:

“The government of Nigeria, in collaboration with others, conducted an annual food security survey. This year’s results are quite alarming. Approximately 22 million Nigerians will face food insecurity in 2023, and around 80-82 million are at risk of extreme food insecurity by 2030.”

“Like many countries, Nigeria, struggles with food insecurity, atmospheric change, unreliable water patterns, pest outbreaks, and other dangers to agricultural productivity. As an agricultural society, our farms success in one way or the other impacts food availability for our population. Making use of technology is very important to strengthening our Agricultural sector and ensuring food security.”

He further said that satellite-enabled crop monitoring, provides accurate data on crop conditions, allowing farmers and policymakers to make decisions and maximize agricultural practices.

He continued that technology can help fast track the achievement of Eco-friendly development goals in food and agriculture.

‘Atomspheric Change Boosting Increase In Hunger Rate’

Centre for Agricultural Development and Sustainable Environment from the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Tobi Awolope, an Agric economist, said the high hunger rate in Nigeria is due to the atmospheric change, and has affected the small-scale farmers very badly, who are the main player of food production.

Awolope said that;

Atmospheric change has turned around the progress towards achieving Sustainable Development Goals, which aim to eliminate poverty and hunger. Small-scale farmers are struggling to adapt to the changing climate, and this has led to declining food availability and rising prices.”

“Farmers cannot alleviate the effects of climate change alone. The government needs to step in and support them to ensure food security.”

“This is not the time to leave research production on the shelf. We need to use those recommendations to make decisions that will support our farmers and ensure food availability.”

Move Agriculture Forward With Science And Technology’

Dr. Adepoju Matthew, Director General of the National Space Research and Development Agency, emphasized on the significance of science, technology, and innovation in moving agricultural development and food security.

He stated that: “The world population is projected to reach 9.5 billion by 2050, and food production must increase by 70 per cent to meet this demand.

“Space science, technology, and innovation play a crucial role in transforming agriculture and enhancing food security.”

UN Has Reported The Real Situation

Dr Yinusu Alidu, the National Secretary of the All Farmers Association of Nigeria, had said that the UN report should be taken seriously, that it reflects the real situation in the country.

He said, “What the UN said is what is happening at the moment, because it shows the real situation in the country. It is not magic; the UN is only gathering reports, and speaking to the current situation. They are using global warning, atmospheric change, insecurity, and other factors to make the report. People like us on the field know already that the UN’s report is becoming real.

“This is July and there is not enough rain yet. Weather forecast experts have predicted that there is going to be a drought. They predicted that there is going to be a short rain period, and that rain might not fall after August. They advised farmers to plant crops that will yield and mature fast. If not, the crops will not yield well. If people use conventional modes of planting, their farms will be affected by drought.”

“It is the responsibility of the government to prevent a food crisis. The government should encourage irrigation farming systems. The government needs to create dams and channel waste water for farming purposes. Water is being wasted a lot. This is the right time for the government to be serious about off-season farming. Seventy per cent of crops grown in Nigeria are planted with direct rain; few people use irrigation systems. The government has a responsibility to make farming easy for farmers. They should support the irrigation system.

“I don’t know why the government is taking an indifferent approach to farming. Maybe they believe they have the money to buy anything they want, regardless of the price, because they have money. What about the average Nigerian? I would only advise farmers to be smart and fast in farming.”

‘UN Report Shows The Government Failure’

Mr Adeyemi Adejare, The President of Integrated Agricultural Services, South-West, said the UN’s report is an indicator of the government’s failures in supporting agriculture and farmers.

He said Nigeria is already seeing shortage of food, and only aggressive farming can help Nigeria out of the crisis.

He said, “The only way to stop the UN’s prediction is to engage in aggressive farming, and get genuine support from the government. Nigeria is facing food insecurity already, so we can’t shy away from what the UN said. It is a pointer to the government’s failure to support agriculture.“

“The food industries and our farming system must reach a sustainable level to avert the prediction, and that requires a holistic approach. We need to discard the old farming, storing, and processing systems. Government at all levels must be genuinely committed to promoting agriculture.

“The government must empower farmers and encourage mechanised farming for the youth. The government must also provide soft loans and subsidise farming for genuine farmers.”

“The UN report is correct. Currently, it will take Nigeria 30 uninterrupted farming and harvesting seasons to achieve food security, because of the shortage we have already.“

The government has not been fair to farmers. The northern farmers are enjoying little benefits from the government, but the South-West governors are not helping the farmers at all. The governors have not been helpful; they have been paying lip service to the promotion of agriculture.”

Additional Source; The PUNCH

  • Helen Moses

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