By Ojugbele Omotunde
The Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) warns that 26.5 million Nigerians in Borno, Sokoto, and Zamfara states, including the FCT, may face a food crisis between June and August 2024.
FAO Director-General Qu Dongyu and country representative Dominique Kouacou announced this during the October to November Cadre Harmonise food security and early warning analysis in Abuja.
Dr Abubakar Suleiman, Assistant FAO representative, conducted a CH analysis in 26 states and FCT to assess food security after an unusual lean season, highlighting persistent insecurity.
He highlighted challenges such as natural resource conflicts, high food and agricultural input costs due to inflation, and severe dry spells in some states after rains.
Dr. Ernest Umakhihe, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, confirmed that the CH analysis task force conducted and validated the analysis over the past two weeks.
The results of the Cadre Harmonize (CH) analysis cycle, according to the permanent secretary, who was represented by Mrs.
Fausat Lawal, Director Special Duties, come at a time when the government, at all levels, is doing everything in its power to boost the country’s economy.
Even while the obstacles were formidable, he claimed they could be overcome and that the ministry’s efforts appeared to be being undermined by a number of issues.
“Among these are the COVID-19 pandemic’s lasting effects on the world economy and the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict, which is upending food networks and driving up input and food costs.
“This pressure has been further increased by the removal of the petroleum subsidy, leading to increases in the consumer price index and food inflation,” he stated.
According to him, Climate change, insecurity, and flooding remain significant concerns in Nigeria, impacting food consumption patterns and causing irreversible coping strategies among the population, requiring continued support from the ministry.
He further stated that the ministry is still committed to spearheading and assisting Nigeria’s CH process.
The permanent secretary added that the ministry will endeavor to incorporate all 36 of the states in the nation into the CH analysis by the end of 2024.