Innovative farming: Building resilience in Nigeria’s food systems

Nigeria is teetering on the edge of a severe food crisis, a situation that demands immediate attention and action.The latest report from Cadre Harmonise (CH) paints a distressing                   picture: an estimated 26.5 million Nigerians, spread across 26 states, face the threat of significant food shortages from June to August 2024.

This alarming projection was shared at a crucial meeting led by the Kwara Ministry of Agriculture and Human Development, in partnership with CH and other stakeholders.

The report’s findings are particularly concerning for the most vulnerable populations, including the internally displaced persons in Zamfara, Sokoto, and Borno states.

These individuals are already in precarious situations, and the forecasted food scarcity could exacerbate their plight to critical levels.

The potential for widespread hunger and malnutrition is a clear and present danger that must be addressed.

The Permanent Secretary of the ministry,  Isiaq Oloruko-oba, emphasised the severity of the looming crisis during the meeting.

He reiterated the resolve of the state government to ensure relevant stakeholders, especially farmers, are empowered and receive the necessary aid to ensure food security in the state.

His remarks highlighted the urgency with which the nation must address the issues of food and nutrition security. The report, thus, is not just an analysis of the current state but a dire warning that requires immediate and strategic response.

The implications of this report are far-reaching. It is a call to action for Nigeria’s policymakers, urging them to step up and take responsibility for averting what could be a catastrophic food shortage.

The time for mere discussion has passed; the situation now demands concrete plans and swift implementation. To mitigate the impending crisis, a multi-faceted approach is necessary.

This includes bolstering agricultural production, improving supply chain logistics, and ensuring that aid reaches the most vulnerable populations. It also involves addressing the underlying causes of food insecurity, such as conflict, climate change, and economic instability.

The government, along with non-governmental organizations and international partners, must collaborate to create and execute a robust plan of action.

This plan should not only aim to prevent the immediate crisis but also to lay the groundwork for long-term food security in Nigeria. Public awareness and community engagement are also critical components of the solution. The citizens of Nigeria must be informed about the severity of the situation and mobilised to support and participate in efforts to secure food for all.

Local initiatives that empower communities to grow and store their own food can be part of a sustainable strategy. The CH report is a stark reminder of the challenges Nigeria faces in ensuring food security for its population.

It is a clarion call that must not go unheeded. As the nation stands at this critical juncture, decisive action is the only path forward to prevent a national disaster and ensure that no Nigerian goes hungry. The time to act is now.

The state government’s commitment to empower farmers and ensure food security, as reiterated by Oloruko-oba, is commendable.

However, this must translate into tangible support and aid for those who are the backbone of our nation’s food supply.

The role of agriculture as a lifeline for the majority of Nigerians cannot be overstated, as highlighted by the state CH coordinator, Olusoji Oyawoye.

With a population of approximately 3.73 million, Kwara’s reliance on traditional subsistence farming is a testament to the need for bolstering agricultural practices and supporting crop diversification.

The cultivation of rice, cassava, yam, soya beans, maize, bean seed, guinea corn, groundnut, and cowpea, along with tree crops like cashew nuts and palm oil, forms the bedrock of Kwara’s agricultural output.

The exploitation of hardwood timber and forest resources such as shea nuts and locust bean also contribute to the state’s economy. These resources must be managed sustainably to ensure long-term food security.

Furthermore, as the state coordinator of the Accelerating Nutrition Results in Nigeria (ARIN) project, Habeeb Lawal, aptly noted, nutrition is inextricably linked to food security.

The looming crisis is not only about the availability of food but also about its nutritional value. A malnourished population is less capable of contributing to the economic development and stability of the nation.

This editorial serves as a call to action for all stakeholders, from government officials to international partners, from farmers to consumers, to come together and address the challenges laid bare by the CH report.

It is imperative that we work collaboratively to develop and implement a comprehensive strategy that includes improving agricultural practices, ensuring the distribution of aid, and enhancing the nutritional content of food available to the Nigerian populace.

The threat of a food crisis is not just a statistic; it is a reality that millions could face if we do not act now. Let us not wait until the crisis is upon us.

The time to act is now, with the urgency and seriousness that the situation demands. Our collective future depends on it. all critical stakeholders to deliberate on the way forward.