Chijioke Iremeka
Stakeholders nationwide have said food security will remain elusive without adequate attention paid to national security.
They noted that ensuring the security of farmers, farmlands, and farmers will encourage more Nigerians to engage in agriculture.
This, they believe, will help alleviate hunger and supplement the recently approved minimum wage in light of the skyrocketing cost of food items and other consumables.
PUNCH Healthwise reports that President Bola Tinubu recently approved a minimum wage of N70,000 for civil servants in Nigeria, but many citizens argue that this amount does not align with the current economic realities on the ground.
The United Nations data indicates that nearly 25 million Nigerians are at risk of experiencing hunger between June and August 2023 (the lean season) if urgent measures are not implemented.
The October 2022 Cadre Harmonisé, a government-led and UN-supported food and nutrition analysis conducted biannually, also projected an increase from the current estimated 17 million people at risk of food insecurity.
It identified ongoing conflicts such as Boko Haram, banditry, insurgency, climate change, inflation, and rising food prices as major drivers of this concerning trend.
The report highlighted that persistent violence in the northeast states of Borno, Adamawa, and Yobe has severely impacted food access in those regions.
According to the National Emergency Management Agency, widespread flooding during the 2022 rainy season resulted in damage to over 676,000 hectares of farmland, saying that this damage significantly reduced harvests and heightened the risk of food insecurity for families nationwide.
NEMA further reported that out of the current 17 million people experiencing food insecurity, three million reside in the northeast states and that without prompt intervention, this number is projected to rise to 4.4 million during the lean season.
The Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator of the UN, Mr Matthias Schmale, expressed grave concern over the food security and nutrition situation in Nigeria, emphasising the urgent need for action to provide life-saving support to those in need, particularly children who are the most vulnerable.
He highlighted the distressing conditions he witnessed in nutrition stabilisation centres where children are battling to survive.
The resident coordinator said approximately six out of the 17 million food-insecure individuals in Nigeria are children under the age of five and reside in states like Borno, Adamawa, Yobe, Sokoto, Katsina, and Zamfara.
Schmale warned of high child mortality due to acute malnutrition if immediate interventions are not implemented.
The Chairman of the Southwest chapter of the Nigerian Medical Association, Dr Babatunde Rosiji, emphasised the critical link between security and food security in the country.
He argued that if governments at all levels could ensure the security of farmers, their farmlands, and households, more Nigerians would feel encouraged to engage in agriculture.
Rosiji stressed that with adequate security put in place in farming communities, individuals would be less apprehensive about farming.
He envisioned a scenario where investments in security by federal, state, and local governments would enable him and others to cultivate crops like cassava on a larger scale without fear of incurring losses due to theft or damage by cattle.
Rosiji lamented instances where farmers’ efforts are compromised by cattle grazing on their crops after cultivation, highlighting the need for robust security measures to protect farmers’ investments and promote agricultural productivity.
“Urgently addressing national security is essential for ensuring food security in Nigeria. Neglecting this aspect jeopardises our ability to maintain food security across the nation.
“We must prioritise tackling insecurity to safeguard food production. Additionally, since much of what we consume is imported, stabilising the foreign exchange rate is crucial.
“These steps, coupled with robust agricultural practices, will contribute to lowering the cost of living and enhancing overall food security in the country,” he added.
The National President of the All Farmers Association of Nigeria, Alhaji Muda Farouk, highlighted the link between insecurity and food security in the country.
He said incidents such as theft from farmers and the burning of farms discourage agricultural activities, especially among farmers who risk their lives in the fields.
Farouk emphasised that insecurity directly impacts farmers’ willingness to cultivate their land, thereby hindering agricultural productivity and affecting the country’s food security.
He said, “Insecurity significantly impacts farmers. Continuous attacks and killings by bandits on farms deter farmers from cultivating their land, affecting agricultural productivity and food security in the country.
“In some states, the incidence of killings is severe, while others experience less. However, regardless of the scale, it undermines food production and jeopardises the livelihoods of these farmers who are vital to the country’s food supply.
“We urge the government to take necessary action. They are aware of the situation better than we do. It is crucial that they create an enabling environment for agricultural production.
“Meanwhile, we are educating farmers on self-protection techniques, focusing not on carrying weapons but on recognising danger signs that could threaten their lives. I can’t elaborate further on this matter due to its sensitive nature.”
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