The Federal Government has expressed concern over the potential risk of food insecurity in Nigeria as a result of the adverse effects of climate change, such as erratic rainfall, droughts, and flooding.
Dr. Ernest Umakhihe, the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, highlighted these challenges on Wednesday, during a media engagement event organized by the Federal Ministry of Finance, Budget, and National Planning, in collaboration with the United Nations Information Centre (UNIC) in Abuja.
Umakhihe emphasized that climate change has contributed to conflicts between farmers and herders, as it leads to struggles for resources.
The increase in extreme weather events, particularly flooding, has adversely affected smallholder farmers’ investments, threatening crops and livestock production, leading to economic losses.
In response to these challenges, the Nigerian government declared a state of emergency on food security, demonstrating its commitment to addressing the critical issue. The declaration signifies a call for collaboration with all stakeholders, including farmers, agri-businesses, research institutions, NGOs, and the private sector.
The government aims to unlock the investment potential in the private sector to create sustainable solutions for food security.
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The media engagement event aims to update and inform the public and stakeholders about the upcoming United Nations Food System Summit, focusing on the implementation of Food Systems Transformation Pathways in Nigeria.
The complex nature of food systems involves all the processes from production and processing to consumption, and the government seeks to address the challenges in this domain through a holistic and inclusive approach.
The challenges faced by global food systems, including climate change, resource scarcity, and unequal access to nutrition, are immense and complex. Nigeria has experienced multiple shocks related to food systems, such as the 2019 COVID pandemic, the Russian-Ukraine war, and flooding affecting smallholder farmers.
Despite the progress made by Nigeria in transforming its food systems, there is a need to accelerate efforts to match the scale of challenges. The declaration of a state of emergency on food security by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is seen as a welcome step in addressing the pressing issues.
The government’s focus on ensuring equity, inclusivity, livelihood opportunities, youth, and gender mainstreaming reflects its commitment to leave no one behind in the quest for a more resilient, responsive, and sustainable food system aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The nation will reflect on its progress during the upcoming UN event in Rome, acknowledging both achievements and the need for continued efforts to tackle food insecurity effectively.
