Thoughts on Nigeria’s Food Insecurity

**Interview with Dakuku Peterside on Nigeria’s Food Insecurity Crisis**

**Interviewer:** Dakuku, thank you for joining us today. You’ve highlighted that Nigeria is facing what you describe as a “ticking time bomb” with regards to food insecurity. Can you elaborate on why you believe this issue is so pressing yet often overlooked by the government?

**Dakuku Peterside:** Thank you for having me. Food insecurity in Nigeria is a critical issue that directly affects national stability and security. Despite its profound implications for everyday life and the economy, both federal and state governments have yet to give it the urgent attention it demands. Their responses have often come off as chaotic or detached, primarily addressing symptoms rather than the root causes of the problem.

**Interviewer:** What are some statistics that illustrate the severity of food insecurity in the country?

**Dakuku Peterside:** As of 2023, the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation reported that approximately 25 million Nigerians are facing moderate to severe food insecurity—a worrying 20% increase from the previous year. This surge is largely due to rising inflation, insecurity, and the adverse effects of climate change. We urgently need a focused strategy to tackle this issue before it escalates into an even more serious crisis.

**Interviewer:** You mention that Nigeria could learn from the food security strategies of countries like India and Brazil. Could you provide examples of what Nigeria might adopt from those experiences?

**Dakuku Peterside:** Absolutely. Both India and Brazil have implemented successful policies that have drastically reduced food insecurity. By studying their models and tailoring similar strategies to our context, Nigeria could make significant strides toward solving this issue.

**Interviewer:** You also pointed out that access to capital for farmers is a significant barrier. Can you discuss how current interest rates are impacting agricultural productivity?

**Dakuku Peterside:** Certainly. In Nigeria, agriculture is the backbone of the rural economy, employing over 70% of the rural population. However, exorbitant interest rates—approximately 27.5% set by the Central Bank and even higher rates from commercial banks—hinder farmers from obtaining the necessary financing to modernize their operations. This lack of access to affordable capital means farmers cannot invest in improvements or expand their production, which is critical as we see food production declining year after year.

**Interviewer:** You’ve touched on the issue of security affecting farming as well. How does physical insecurity contribute to food insecurity in Nigeria?

**Dakuku Peterside:** Physical insecurity profoundly affects agricultural productivity, particularly in northern regions plagued by violence. Farmers face threats from banditry and conflicts that create a climate of fear, forcing them to abandon their lands. For instance, Zamfara State used to be a major agricultural hub but suffered a 50% reduction in production due to farmer displacement. This violence not only diminishes output but discourages investments necessary for revitalizing the sector.

**Interviewer:** The impact of rising inflation is another critical factor. Can you explain how this, coupled with energy costs, affects food security?

**Dakuku Peterside:** Inflation drives food prices up, worsening the already tenuous economic situation for many Nigerians, over 40% of whom live below the poverty line. For example, in June 2024, inflation surpassed 33%, with food prices increasing by nearly 27%. Rising fuel costs further complicate the issue, impacting the transportation of goods and making farming more expensive. Following the removal of fuel subsidies, transportation costs have surged nearly 50%, affecting farmers’ ability to get their produce to market.

**Interviewer:** What about infrastructure? How does that play a role in the food insecurity crisis?

**Dakuku Peterside:** Infrastructure deficits severely limit the movement of agricultural goods. Poor roads and inadequate storage facilities result in post-harvest losses, with a 2022 World Bank report estimating that poor infrastructure is responsible for 40% of these losses. As a result, food availability decreases, driving prices up and making nutrition less accessible for the average Nigerian.

**Interviewer:** You’ve indicated that Nigeria is increasingly relying on food imports as a response to this crisis. What are the long-term implications of this strategy?

**Dakuku Peterside:** Relying on food imports is a temporary fix that ultimately undermines local agriculture and job opportunities. In 2023, Nigeria spent over $5 billion on food imports, which directly impacts domestic production. This reliance not only compromises our self-sufficiency but also exposes us to global market fluctuations, as we saw during the COVID-19 pandemic and the ongoing war in Ukraine.

**Interviewer:** So what can Nigeria do to address these challenges effectively?

**Dakuku Peterside:** To build a sustainable agricultural ecosystem, Nigeria must invest heavily in various critical areas. This includes improving access to fertilizers and agrochemicals, which are essential for boosting productivity; enhancing mechanization, as we have one of the lowest mechanization rates in Africa; and developing robust logistics and marketing systems to improve the flow of goods from farms to markets. Technology also offers significant potential—embracing innovations like precision farming could greatly improve yields and efficiency.

**Interviewer:** Lastly, what is your message to the government regarding leadership in agriculture?

**Dakuku Peterside:** Leadership is crucial. The government must establish a clear vision and set SMART goals to transform the agricultural sector effectively. While previous efforts are commendable, significant advancements are necessary to avoid further deterioration of the food situation. The time to act is now—we cannot afford to let Nigeria’s vast agricultural potential go to waste while its people suffer from food insecurity.

**Interviewer:** Thank you, Dakuku, for your insights on this urgent matter. It’s clear that immediate action is essential to secure Nigeria’s food future and overall stability.