Participants in the agriculture industry are urgently calling for policy changes, greater financial support, and tech advancements to bolster the nation's food supply network.
As millions of Nigerians face food shortages, agricultural specialists, government officials, and aid organizations gathered in Abuja on Thursday for the National Stakeholder Dialogue on Food Security.
The conversation centered around "Securing Food Supplies in Nigeria: Narrowing the Divide," offering an opportunity for participants to address key issues in food creation, delivery, and availability.
Specialists pointed out climate change, inadequate infrastructure, and restricted financial resources for small-scale farmers as major hurdles to reaching food self-sufficiency within the nation.
Adetola Adegbite, the Country Director at One Acre Fund, highlighted the importance of comprehensive approaches, pointing out that even with Nigeria’s significant agricultural capabilities, food security continues to be an escalating issue.
Nigeria possesses the territory, assets, and workforce needed to become a top food producer across Africa; however, countless residents find it difficult to obtain healthy food," said Adegbite. "This issue extends beyond mere production to encompass challenges related to distribution, cost, and adapting to climate shifts.
The conversation similarly emphasized closing the gap between research and application, making sure that farming advancements make their way to the local agriculturists.
Millindi Sibomana, the Chief Agriculture Officer at One Acre Fund, highlighted that smallholder farmers, responsible for producing more than 70 percent of Nigeria’s food supply, struggle with limited access to quality resources, financial support, and consistent market opportunities.
"Equipping farmers with the appropriate resources and information is not optional; it is essential. In the absence of more robust support structures, we will keep facing inadequate food supplies and increasing costs," stated Sibomana.
The stakeholders pressed the government to develop policies that promote private-sector involvement, enhance rural infrastructure, and incorporate climate-resilient farming practices into national growth strategies.
Emmanuel Bamgboye, who leads field operations at One Acre Fund, highlighted the personal toll of food scarcity, noting that as many as one in every three people in Nigeria worries about where their next meal will come from.
"Hunger is more than merely an economic issue; it is a social crisis impacting health, education, and national stability. Ensuring food security should be of utmost importance," he emphasized.
When the discussion ended, the attendees committed to pushing for practical solutions, enhancing the agricultural supply chain, and building partnerships among governmental bodies, private financiers, and countryside farmers.
As Nigeria’s population is expected to surpass 250 million by 2050, experts have cautioned that unless prompt measures are taken, the nation might face an escalated food crisis, resulting in heightened poverty and unrest.
Nonetheless, they stayed hopeful that through appropriate investments and policy changes, Nigeria had the ability to tap into its agricultural capabilities and secure long-term food stability.
Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. ( Syndigate.info ).
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