Members of the All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN) have voiced concerns over a possible case of worsening food crisis in the country.
According to the association’s National President, Kabir Ibrahim, various factors, including low mechanization, limited access to credit and inputs, transportation challenges, insecurity, and flooding, have put pressure on Nigeria’s agricultural system.
In a statement released on Monday, Ibrahim warned that unless urgent action is taken to address these issues, the nation could face severe food shortage.
“Various efforts such as the importation of some food items for a given period in defined quantities, support to smallholder farmers or small-scale producers and distribution of palliatives and agricultural inputs are works in progress,” Ibrahim stated.
He stressed the need for transparency and efficiency in government interventions, such as the distribution of palliatives, importation of essential food items, and support for small-scale farmers.
The AFAN president acknowledged that the usual seasonal decline in food prices during the harvest period may not materialize this year due to the devastating impact of the 2024 floods on several farms.
Ibrahim called on the government to facilitate agribusiness practices through initiatives like the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) to reduce the food crisis. He argued that providing incentives and affordable credit to both small and large-scale agribusiness players is crucial for scaling up food production and distribution.
He dismissed the use of temporary measures such as palliatives or mass importation as inadequate solutions to Nigeria’s food crisis. Instead, he advocated for long-term, sustainable agribusiness practices that empower smallholder farmers, who remain the backbone of food production in the country.
The AFAN president urged both government officials and farmers to reassess their strategies towards achieving food sufficiency, warning that a total hunger crisis could ensue if action is not taken.