How Nigeria can ensure its continued access to sufficient food

The recent declaration of a state of emergency on food security by President Bola Tinubu’s administration is very much appreciated, but it should have been made much earlier by the administration that came before it, that of Muhammadu Buhari. Food shortages in Nigeria were inevitable, long overdue, and largely brought on by the increased and persistent banditry attacks on farmers and the frequent clashes between herders and farmers that had marked the country over the previous 20 years, from former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s to Buhari’s.

Despite universal praise, the declaration of a state of emergency on food security is only the first step in the right direction. In order to close the gaping hole of food insecurity in the nation, a lot of planning and policies need to be put in place and put into action.

The Nigerian government does not need to try to invent the wheel when it comes to food sufficiency because China, India, and the United States, the three largest food producing nations in the world, already have best practises in agriculture and food production in place. Nigeria only needs to take what it can from these nations and make a few minor adjustments to fit the environment there. Through a variety of policies, programmes, and strategies, these nations have reached food sufficiency.

China is the nation that produces the most food worldwide. Through a combination of factors including government policies, agricultural reforms, and technological advancements, it has become self-sufficient in food. China has adopted contemporary farming methods, enhanced its irrigation infrastructure, and increased the use of pesticides and fertilisers. In order to encourage farmers to increase their output, the government has also given them subsidies, loans, and other forms of assistance. In order to increase crop yields, China has also introduced high-yielding crop varieties and invested in research and development.

The second-largest producer of food in the world is India. It has achieved food security thanks to the 1960s-era Green Revolution, which the Obasanjo military regime attempted to imitate in the 1970s with Operation Feed the Nation. But because of the frequent changes in power, there was no consistency in the direction of government policy. High-yield crop varieties, better irrigation techniques, and greater use of pesticides and fertilisers were all part of the Green Revolution. India was able to produce enough food on its own thanks to this significant rise in agricultural productivity. The government has also put into place a number of policies and programmes to assist farmers, such as providing subsidies, credit options, and services for agricultural extension.

Due to its extensive agricultural land, cutting-edge technology, and effective farming methods, the United States is one of the world’s top producers of food. Mechanisation, precision farming, and biotechnology have helped the nation achieve food security. Utilising machinery and cutting-edge equipment has improved farming operations’ productivity and efficiency. Additionally, the United States makes significant investments in R&D, which has resulted in the creation of genetically modified crops that are resistant to pests, illnesses, and unfavourable weather. The nation also has a sophisticated infrastructure for the storage, delivery, and distribution of food, ensuring a consistent supply.

President Bola Tinubu and his advisors in the fields of agriculture, economics, and rural development should prioritise enhancing agricultural infrastructure if Nigeria is to become a major food producer like China, the US, and India. Nigeria should spend money updating its irrigation systems, storage facilities, transportation networks, and processing facilities. This will help boost output, lower post-harvest losses, and enhance the agricultural sector’s overall effectiveness.

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The administration must also spend more money on research and development. Nigeria needs to invest more money in agricultural research and development to increase crop yields, create drought-resistant strains, and enhance farming practises. This will facilitate farmers’ adoption of cutting-edge techniques and equipment, resulting in higher output and better-quality produce.

Thirdly, mechanisation and contemporary farming methods need to be promoted. Agriculture productivity can be significantly increased by promoting the use of contemporary tools and machinery like tractors, harvesters, and irrigation systems. In order to encourage the use of mechanisation and the promotion of effective farming methods, the government can offer farmers subsidies or loans.

Fourth, there needs to be greater access to finance and credit. For farmers to expand their businesses, invest in modern farming methods, and buy high-quality inputs, they need access to affordable credit. To ensure farmers have easy access to credit, the government and financial institutions should create financial products and services that are specifically tailored for them, such as microfinance programmes.

Fifth, the Tinubu administration needs to improve the services for extension and education of farmers. It is crucial to give farmers instruction and training in contemporary farming methods, crop management, and harvesting procedures. More farmers should have access to extension services, which can give them the most recent advice, technical assistance, and information.

Sixth, it’s important to promote participation from the private sector. To encourage private sector investments in agriculture, the government should foster a favourable environment. This can be accomplished through regulatory simplification, land reforms, and tax incentives. To use the resources and expertise of the private sector for agricultural development, public-private partnerships can be established.

The government should enhance value chain integration and market access, which is the seventh point. Nigeria should concentrate on creating effective market connections on both the domestic and global levels. Building storage and processing facilities, starting farmer cooperatives, and promoting contract farming are all examples of this. Enhancing value chains will lower post-harvest losses and ensure that farmers receive fair prices for their produce.

Eighth, it’s important to strengthen agricultural governance and policies. In order to meet the needs of smallholder farmers, encourage sustainable farming methods, and guarantee food security, the government should develop and put into effect comprehensive agricultural policies. For the agricultural sector to draw investments and promote growth, good governance, transparency, and accountability are essential.

The cultivation of a variety of crops and livestock should be encouraged in Nigeria in order to diversify the country’s agricultural production. This will increase resilience to climate change and market fluctuations and decrease reliance on a select few commodities.

Tenth, the government should make investments in value addition and agroprocessing. Instead of just exporting raw products like cocoa, cashew nuts, sesame seeds, and other agricultural products without value addition, encouraging agroprocessing industries will help Nigeria move up the value chain and increase the value of its agricultural exports. As a result, more jobs will be made available, farmers’ incomes will increase, and the economy will grow.

Nigeria, the largest economy in Africa in terms of GDP, can increase agricultural productivity, increase food security, and become a major food producer by putting these strategies into practise. This will allow it to compete with other food-producing nations around the world. Additionally, Nigeria could export its goods to the developed economies as well as feed the surrounding area.

Nigeria can become self-sufficient in food through a combination of factors including modern technology, government support, research and development, and effective farming methods.