Economy
Flood Crisis: Nigeria Has Enough Food For 2023; Says Minister of Agric
The Minister of Agric, Dr. Mohammad Abubakar has said Nigeria has enough food for 2023 despite the flooding
While sympathising with farmers and other Nigerians who are adversely affected by the devastating flood, the Minister of Agric, Dr. Mohammad Abubakar disclosed that Nigeria has enough food for 2023. The minister, therefore declared that there is no cause for alarm.
Investors King had earlier reported that several farmlands have been damaged across the country.
According to the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management, and Social Development, Sadiya Umar Farouq noted that 176,852 hectares of farmland are partially destroyed while 392,399 hectares of farmlands are totally destroyed.
Similarly, in September 2022, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) also declared that more than 14,000 farmlands have been destroyed by flood in just five local governments in Kano State.
Nonetheless, the Minister of Agriculture, Dr. Mohammad Abubakar disclosed that his ministry has made some progress in ameliorating the plight of the farmers affected by the flood.
Abubakar further stated that while the ministry has embarked on damage analysis of the new farms that are affected by the flood, he insisted that all hands must be on deck to address a subsequent flood to such a degree.
However, contrary to what the minister said, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) stated that Sub Sahara African countries including Nigeria are at risk of food shortage.
The international financial organisation noted that more than 123 million people in the region are at risk of acute food shortage and malnutrition.
IMF further identifies climate change as one of the factors intensifying food insecurity in the African Sub-Sahara region.
Other factors as identified by the Washington-based financial institution include the adverse effects that accompanied Covid 19 and the Russia-Ukraine war, both of which have increased the global price of food and reduced the household income in many homes.
IMF, however, suggested improved access to funding, regional trade integration, and private investment in the agricultural sector as parts of the efforts that could help to address the urgent situation.