Food scarcity is a significant challenge in Nigeria, with approximately 32 million Nigerians acutely short of food as of August 2024. Nigerians spend 59% of their income on food, the highest in the world, yet the country has over 84 million hectares of arable land, of which only 40% is cultivated. The main reason for this scarcity is the lack of production capabilities due to political instability, insecurity, corruption, and infrastructure.
Another core cause of food scarcity in Nigeria is the lack of production capabilities on farms and factories. This further impacts its inability to process food in factories and the lack of distribution networks.
To transition from food scarcity to security, Nigeria must shift from a consumption-based to a production-based nation by developing production capabilities and ending poverty.
All stakeholders, private and public investors, policymakers, research institutions, and farmers must collaborate to shift from a consuming to a production nation. To achieve that goal, all concerned parties should provide a strategic strategy centred on farming and rural industrialisation and strong institutional backing must be implemented.
Adopting technologies such as GPS mapping, soil sensors, and drones can help optimise resource utilisation by ensuring that water, fertilisers, and pesticides are used efficiently. This reduces waste, cuts expenses, and increases yields.
Another constraint is the inability to source the right loans and grants. Governments and NGOs provide accessible credit facilities, such as low-interest loans and grants, especially to small/medium-holder farmers.
From first-hand information like (access to support programs, loans and grants), and shared resources like (seeds and fertiliser) down to better barging power, allowing you to secure better prices and negotiate fair contracts with buyers, bulk purchasing is part of the benefits of joining a proactive, cooperative society.
Poor infrastructure is a significant bottleneck for farmers, resulting in high transportation costs and post-harvest losses. Governments should prioritise constructing and maintaining rural roads so farmers can easily transport their produce to markets.
Policymakers must create long-term, transparent policies that provide stability so farmers can plan and investors can commit resources to the agricultural sector. Frequent changes in import/export regulations, tariffs, and subsidies put farmers and agribusiness investors at risk, deterring domestic and foreign investments.
Climate change makes farming more uncertain, with extended droughts and variable weather patterns impacting crops. Governments should provide more funding to agricultural research organisations to create better seed varieties more resilient to severe weather. Furthermore, funding research will contribute to introducing improved farming practices, like climate-smart agriculture, which increases output while protecting the environment.
Nigeria possesses significant potential to address food scarcity and attain food security by leveraging collaboration, fostering innovation, and implementing supportive policies. These strategic approaches can be crucial in enhancing agricultural productivity and ensuring a stable food supply for the Nigerian population.
