Experts Explore Solutions for Tackling Food Insecurity in Nigeria
On Thursday, agricultural experts gathered in Abuja to discuss urgent solutions for Nigeria’s growing food insecurity crisis. The event, part of the 22nd Daily Trust Dialogue, centered on two major issues: the availability and affordability of food in the country.
The dialogue, with the theme “Food Security: Availability or Affordability,” brought together a wide range of participants, including government officials, legislators, farmers, and other experts. Together, they shared their concerns and insights on how to overcome the challenges that many Nigerians face in accessing sufficient, affordable, and nutritious food.
The Grim Reality of Food Insecurity
Media Trust Group’s Chairman, Kabiru Yusuf, highlighted the dire situation, pointing out the widening gap between food production and affordability. He emphasized the need for action to make sure that every Nigerian can afford healthy meals, especially as food prices continue to climb. As inflation skyrockets, with food prices increasing by 39.84% in December last year, many Nigerians are struggling to afford even the basics.
With rising costs of living, largely due to recent government policies, including the removal of fuel subsidies and the naira’s devaluation, Nigerians are facing a serious crisis. The situation has led to widespread hunger protests, and tragic stampedes during food aid distributions have become common in several parts of the country.
Root Causes of Food Insecurity
During the dialogue, experts outlined several key factors contributing to food insecurity, such as climate change, poor post-harvest handling, inadequate storage, and weak market regulations. They stressed that addressing these issues will require immediate attention, including better government policies to tackle rural insecurity, stabilize food prices, and improve infrastructure.
What’s Being Done to Solve the Problem
One of the highlights of the event was a statement from the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Abbas Tajudeen, who was represented by the Chairman of the House Committee on Nutrition and Food Security, Dike Okafor. He assured the audience that the National Assembly is committed to addressing food insecurity and supporting initiatives that prioritize nutrition and food security programs.
He also discussed the importance of improving farming practices, such as providing farmers with subsidies, access to credit, and modern farming techniques. In addition, he mentioned that legislation would focus on boosting Nigeria’s agricultural export potential and reducing reliance on imports.
A Path Forward
According to Tajudeen, the key to overcoming food insecurity is increasing food production while reducing costs. By implementing better practices and policies, Nigeria can produce more food with fewer resources. This will make food both available and affordable for all.
