Our reporters
The National Secretary of the All Farmers Association of Nigeria, Dr Yinusu Alidu, has said the United Nations report on impeding hunger should be taken seriously, noting that it reflects the real situation in the country.
Recall that the UN recently raised the alarm that 82 million Nigerians, which represent 64 per cent of the country’s population, may go hungry by 2030, calling on the government to tackle climate change, pest infestations, and other threats to agricultural productivity as well as food security.
82 million Nigerians at risk of hunger, UN warns – Healthwise (punchng.com)
Meanwhile, according to the National Bureau of Statistics, Nigeria’s food inflation rate hit a record high of 40.66 per cent in May 2024, surpassing the previous month’s 40.53 increase.
This surge represents the largest year-on-year increase in food prices since records began in 1996.
Speaking about the implication of the warning to Saturday PUNCH, Alidu said, “What the UN said is trending at the moment, because it reflects the real situation in the country. It is not magic; the UN is only gathering reports, and speaking to the current situation. They are using global warming, climate change, insecurity, and other factors to make the report. People like us on the field know already that the UN’s report is becoming real.
“This is July and there is not enough rain yet. Weather forecast experts have predicted that there is going to be a drought. They predicted that there was going to be a short rain period, and that rain may not fall after August. They advised farmers to plant crops that will yield and mature fast. If not, the crops will be stunted and will not yield well. If people use conventional modes of planting, their farms will be affected by drought.”
He urged the government to act on the report, stressing that it is the responsibility of the government to prevent a food crisis.
Alidu added, “The government should encourage irrigation farming systems. The government needs to create dams and channel wastewater for farming purposes. Water is being wasted a lot. This is the right time for the government to be serious about off-season farming. 70 per cent of crops grown in Nigeria are planted with direct rain; few people use irrigation systems. The government has a responsibility to make farming easy for farmers. They should support the irrigation system.
“I don’t know why the government is taking a lackadaisical approach to farming. Maybe they believe they have the money to buy anything they want, regardless of the price, because they have money. What about the average Nigerian? I would only advise farmers to be smart and fast in farming.”
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