Recognizing the impact of rising food prices on the Nigerian population, the country’s President Bola Tinubu has declared a state of emergency on food security.
The government aims to address the issue of food and water availability and affordability, considering them essential aspects of livelihood.
During a media briefing, presidential spokesman Dele Alake noted key measures include releasing fertilizers and grains to farmers and households; promoting synergy between the Ministry of Agriculture and the Ministry of Water Resources to support year-round farming; establishing a National Commodity Board to review and assess food prices; and engaging the security architecture to protect farmers and farmlands. The Central Bank will continue to play a crucial role in funding the agricultural value chain.
The administration recognizes that successful implementation of these interventions will have a significant impact on employment and job creation. Agriculture already accounts for 35.21% of employment in Nigeria, and the target is to double this percentage in the long-term. President Tinubu’s vision is to generate 5-10 million additional jobs within the agricultural value chain, utilizing the available arable land and developing more farmlands.
Arinola Okeowo, a farmer and agripreneur, acknowledges to FORBES AFRICA the urgency of addressing the escalating food crisis in Nigeria. She raises concerns about the implementation of the proposed measures. Okeowo emphasizes “the need for experienced individuals in the agricultural sector to oversee the initiatives and ensure that relief materials and support reach those in genuine need”.
She also stresses the importance of “addressing key issues such as access to land, water supply for irrigation, insecurity, and poor infrastructure, which hinder the agricultural sector’s growth and productivity.” Okeowo believes that “if executed effectively, the intervention plan can alleviate food scarcity and price hikes.”
Gideon John, a rice farmer, applauds the Federal Government’s declaration of a state of emergency on food security as “a bold and significant step”. He believes that “this action is crucial for achieving the nation’s goal of self-sufficiency in food production and creating employment opportunities”.
John expresses optimism to FORBES AFRICA: “The country will experience a remarkable transformation in the next four years if the plan is implemented effectively.”
His enthusiasm for the state of emergency stems from his personal experience. Last year, he encountered a devastating setback when his seven-hectare rice farm was completely inundated by floods. Despite investing significant resources and successfully cultivating rice on three hectares of land for two years after completing his National Youth Service Corps, he faced the loss of his expanded operation. In a heartfelt tweet accompanied by photos of his submerged rice farm, he shared his despair, acknowledging the situation was beyond his control.
John’s experience underscores the challenges faced by farmers in Nigeria including natural disasters such as floods that can disrupt their livelihoods and undermine food production efforts. The “state of emergency on food security” provides hope for individuals like John, who rely on agriculture as their source of income and contribution to national food security.