…Tasks on databases for farmers for effective interventions FG
The Nigerian government needs to significantly increase investment in the agricultural sector to effectively address hunger, especially in the face of worsening climate change and the effects of conflict and socio-economic challenges, officials said Wednesday. stated.
They made this recommendation at the plenary session on “Tackling Hunger” of the 30th Nigeria Economic Summit held in Abuja.
Oxfam International’s Regional Director for West and Central Africa, Asarama Sidi, expressed concern that Nigeria’s budget commitments are insufficient to foster the desired growth in this important sector.
He called on governments to meet their obligations under the Malabo Agreement, which requires African countries to allocate at least 10% of their budgets to agriculture.
“Almost 11 years later, we still spend about 3 percent in this important sector that employs most of Africa’s youth and women.
One of the things I hope for from the Nigerian government is that the budget for the agriculture sector will be increased,” she said.
Mr. Sidhi emphasized the importance of strengthening financing to encourage mechanization among smallholder farmers and advocated for government subsidies to help them acquire the necessary machinery.
“Otherwise, we will create new inequality problems where the wealthy get all the mechanized tools while small farmers are left behind,” she warned.
He also highlighted the negative impact of climate change on food production, noting that temperatures are rising 1.5 times faster in West Africa, increasing floods and droughts and ultimately reducing crop yields. did.
“Temperatures are rising 1.5 times faster in West Africa, leading to floods, droughts or reduced rainfall. Of course, that has led to an alarming decline in crop yields in Nigeria. For example, last year , we lost about 2.12 billion pounds, which is about 50 percent of agricultural production.
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He said this decline in production is contributing to soaring food inflation, which will reach 40 percent by March 2024, and that the agricultural sector, which once employed 70 percent of the workforce, is He pointed out that it is currently in decline due to climate change issues.
The regional director called on governments to review policies that favor smallholder farmers and women, who make up the majority of Africa’s agricultural workers, and to take concrete action to address the challenges facing the agricultural sector.
David Stevenson, World Food Program Country Director, highlighted the potential for meaningful collaboration between the public and private sectors to strengthen financing for agriculture and related interventions.
He called on the government to ensure that farmers return to their farms and receive seeds and fertilizers in a timely manner.
Boye Olusanya, CEO of Flour Mills Nigeria Limited, said Nigeria has a yield problem and that increasing agricultural yields is important to drive Nigeria’s industrialization. emphasized.
“Let’s double yields to increase food production and de-risk financing small farmers to guarantee yields,” he urged.
Mr. Olusanya further emphasized the importance of creating a comprehensive database of farmers to facilitate targeted financing. “If we get it right, smallholder farmers will see significant improvements,” he stressed.
He recommended that governments develop data systems that provide early warnings and indicators of where private sector intervention is most needed.
He also called for government support in establishing strategic reserves and storage solutions to ensure price stability for agricultural products.
