The State of Emergency on Food Security: The Mistake Nigeria Cannot Afford to Repeat

On Thursday, 13th July,?the President declared a state of emergency on Nigerian food security, granting him the power to take necessary measures to ensure that food is accessible to everyone in Nigeria at an affordable price. This signifies that the President is responsive to the needs of the people and is taking a step in the right direction to alleviate hunger among Nigerians. I have always maintained that nobody should go to bed with an empty stomach and wake up the next day without knowing where their next meal will come from.

While the President and his team are working tirelessly to ensure an abundance of food for all, it is crucial to avoid repeating the mistakes that Nigeria has made in the past when addressing food security. One such mistake is focusing on only one aspect of the food system while neglecting others.

Allow me to explain. Unsurprisingly, the initial response to addressing hunger is to encourage people to go into farming or provide financial support to farmers to increase production. We have witnessed various initiatives and policies in the past, but unfortunately, we haven't seen significant impact. If these measures had been successful, there would be no need for a state of emergency. As positive as these actions may be, food security challenges are too complex to be solved solely by increasing production. I won't be able to talk about the implications of this in detail, as I aim to keep this article brief.

To provide a lasting solution to food security issues in Nigeria, we need to adopt a systems approach, giving equal attention to all units of the food system, from farm to table.

In partnership with the private sector, the government must prioritize reducing food waste and losses throughout the value chain. Due to losses, approximately 50% of fruits and vegetables produced by farmers never reach the final consumers. I think it's important to address this issue.

Additionally, the government should focus on or create a favourable platform for investors to help improve logistics and processing infrastructure to add value to food products and extend their shelf life. For example, it is inefficient to transport live cows from Maiduguri to Port Harcourt or fresh potatoes from Jos to Lagos. People do not consume live cows; they need meat. Likewise, people don't just want potatoes; they enjoy fries. The government should invest in infrastructure that adds value to crops and animals at the production site and collaborate with the private sector to develop appropriate distribution systems, including cold chain facilities. This approach will minimize food losses and enhance the economic value of agricultural products.

Another crucial aspect is food product development. We have the resources to use existing crops and animals to create diverse food options suitable for different seasons. These technologies already exist locally, but applying scientific principles can improve them further and promote commercialization.

Finally, we must prioritize food safety. Food that causes illness is not truly food but poison. It is essential to involve experts who can ensure that the food available to the public is safe for consumption.

I have more to say on this matter, but as I mentioned earlier, I plan to keep this article concise. If time permits, we may consider a sequel to delve further into the topic.