Food security: Data shows Nigeria as threatened

national committee

·      President institutes national committee

The international organizations on food security matters have confirmed 16 states of the federation as in secured in terms of food availability.

Meanwhile the President Muhammadu Buhari has immediately constituted a national committee on food security toward tackling challenges.

This was Cardre Harmonise (CH) findings in a survey tagged 2018 report, carried out in these states to ascertain level of food insecurity in the country.

The states are Bauchi, Benue,Borno, Plateau, Jigawa, Adamawa, Yobe, Kaduna, Kano, Taraba, Sokoto, Kaduna, Kebbi, Zamfara, Niger Gombe States and the FCT.

At the Abuja stakeholders’ meeting held at the instance of CH analysis on food and nutrition insecurity in Nigeria, powered financially by the World Food Programme (WFP), Food and Agricultural Organization (FOA), United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Mercy Corps, Famine Early Warning System Network, Save the Children, Oxfam, Care, and others, it was revealed that all the above states have similarity of food insecurity.

This effort according to the World Food Programme was aimed at collating data that would help to tackle the issues of nutrition and food insecurity in the country pointed these 16 states as being threatened.

The Representative and Country Director, WFP, Ms. Myrta Kaulard told Foodfarmnews exclusively that the degree of the food insecurity may heightened from the present level if appropriate constructive steps were not taken before June and August 2018 adding that the report of CH would be of great use to assist more people and states.    

She hinted that the CH also revealed that the survey could not be conducted in some states due to lack of funds, while insecurity situation in the North East also could not allow some areas to be reached.

The Country Representative of the FAO, Suffyan Sanusie Koroma during the presentation ceremony explained that the CH  is the current regional framework for consensual analysis of food security situations and that it is aimed towards achieving results of food insecurity analysis to prevent food crisis by identifying affected areas and populations, and thereby proffering appropriate measures to improve their food, nutrition and livelihoods with data  for proper interventions by government and donor agencies and organizations.  

He stated that the FAO would continue to provide technical support for the regular conduct of the CH exercise and for possible expansion to other states and regions in the country adding that government of Nigeria must take over the financial sponsorship and ownership of the CH programme as soon as the international organizations withdraw by 2019.

Koroma said for effective data availability from CH analysis to be a continuous exercise, there is need for fund to be made available so as to be able to conduct emergency food and nutrition security assessment at the states and local government levels.

The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Alhaji Bukar Hasan who was represented by the Director of Operations Dr. Bright Wategire said the findings of the CH analysis were very important to helping government and relevant stakeholders plan adequate interventions for food security.

He added that the Ministry would continue to support initiatives that are geared towards improving national and household food security and sustainable livelihood in the country.

Hassan said the CH analysis would assist government in decision making in various interventions and programmes initiated to boost food security and that such data would help policy makers understand the prevalence of food insecurity across the country; hence the importance of the information derived from the CH.

However, the Federal Government under the leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari has yesterday constituted a National committee on food security yesterday towards tackling some of the major challenges confronting the country particularly in the sector.

 President Buhari mandated the committee to look into the issues of farmers/herdsmen clashes, climate change relating to waters that have affected the food value chains adding that adequate investment in agriculture must be well addressed.

 He said: “Two weeks ago, I announced my intention to establish and chair a presidential level committee that focuses on food security, I am happy that today it has become a reality.

“Nigeria’s journey in the last three years has been a very turbulent one. The country’s need for critical job creating sectors which has been ignored for decades is now beginning to yield result

“We introduced the National Social Investment Programs targeting millions of Nigerians who are living from hand to mouth.

“We launched agricultural programs focusing on import substitution, job creation and rural development thereby bringing socio-economic transformation to millions of citizens living in some of the most remote rural parts of our country.

“We commenced the long term Pollution Remediation Projects in the Niger Delta with the hope of restoring dignity and normalcy to the millions of Nigerians impacted by decades of pollution in their communities.  Fishing and farming will resume once blighted areas are rehabilitated.

“We intensified our participation in the Lake Chad Basin Commission with the goal of reversing the shrinkage of the lake, which impacts the livelihoods of over 45 million farmers, herdsmen and fishermen in the LCBC countries.

“We issued the first ever green bond that will act as a catalyst for investments in renewable energy and afforestation projects. This was oversubscribed, sharing market confidence in the country and our government.

“We established the Agro Rangers Unit within the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) to protect the billions of naira of investments recorded in Nigeria’s agricultural sector across the country.

“We continued to equip the Nigerian Navy and Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency to fight maritime criminals such as pirates and sea robbers who adversely impact offshore and inland fishing activities in our waters.

“These programs and many more, have started yielding results and if sustained, will transform the lives of millions of Nigerians across the country.”