By Haruna Abu-Faisal
IFAD’s investment of over $604.6 million in Nigeria’s agricultural sector between 2016 and 2023 is a significant contribution to addressing the challenges of food shortage in the country.
The program has provided support to over 5 million farmers across 28 states, creating employment opportunities for rural youths and supporting agribusiness hubs in Nigeria.
The recent two-day regional consultative workshop held by IFAD ahead of the 2024-2029 project was a commendable effort aimed at getting feedback from critical participants and target groups to improve the project. This shows that IFAD is committed to ensuring that its investments have a positive impact on the agricultural sector in Nigeria.
However, the impact of IFAD’s investment on hunger and commodity prices is somewhat difficult to measure. While the investment has undoubtedly improved the livelihoods of many farmers and created employment opportunities in rural areas, it may not have had a significant impact on the overall food security situation in the country. Nigeria still has one of the highest rates of food insecurity in the world, with millions of people suffering from hunger and malnutrition.
Yes. According to the latest (6 Mar 2023) report by the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), it is projected that about 25.3 million people in Nigeria would face acute food insecurity during the June to August 2023 lean season. A quarterly report released by the global organisation shows that the figure projected is higher than the 19.45 million forecasts in 2022.
One of the reasons for this is the limited budget and programme of the Nigerian government on agriculture. Although the government has made efforts to increase its budget for agriculture, it is still relatively low compared to other African countries. The government’s flagship agricultural program, the Agricultural Transformation Agenda (ATA), has been criticized for being more focused on increasing agricultural production rather than addressing the root causes of food insecurity.
Another challenge that has affected the yields of farmers in Nigeria is the recent flooding that has occurred in many parts of the country. Flooding has destroyed crops, livestock, and infrastructure, leading to reduced yields and increased food prices. This has further exacerbated the food security situation in Nigeria, especially in rural areas where agriculture is the main source of income.
The Famine Early Warning System Network (FEWS NET) report has indicated that places like the northeast may have witnessed “lower levels of conflict which allowed displaced households to return to their area of origin, but many other households that “continue to be displaced, have low assets and difficulty engaging in typical livelihood activities due to the prolonged nature of the conflict.”
The FEWS Network added that many households are engaging in the ongoing agricultural season, “and while engagement in the season is expected to be above average, households will likely still face difficulty planting at pre-conflict levels due to low income and erosion of assets. As a result, Crisis (Integrated food security phase classification Phase 3) or worse outcomes are expected in these areas of the northeast through at least January 2023.”
The way forward for addressing the challenges of food insecurity in Nigeria is multifaceted. The Nigerian government needs to increase its budget for agriculture and focus on policies that address the root causes of food insecurity, such as poverty and inequality. IFAD and other development partners also need to continue investing in the agricultural sector in Nigeria, while ensuring that their investments are targeted at addressing the specific needs of the country.
Efforts should also be made to mitigate the impact of climate change, such as flooding, on the agricultural sector. This could involve the development of climate-resilient crops, irrigation systems, and infrastructure, as well as the promotion of sustainable farming practices.
In addition, there is a need for increased collaboration and coordination among stakeholders in the agricultural sector in Nigeria. This includes the government, development partners, farmers, and other actors in the value chain. By working together, they can identify and address the specific challenges facing the sector, and develop sustainable solutions that benefit all stakeholders.
In summary, it is the informed opinion of BNB-Online that IFAD’s investment in Nigeria’s agricultural sector is a welcome development and has provided significant support to millions of farmers. However, more needs to be done to address the root causes of food insecurity in Nigeria, including increasing the government’s budget for agriculture, addressing the impact of climate change on the sector, and promoting collaboration among stakeholders. With sustained efforts and investments, it is possible to create a more sustainable and food-secure future for Nigeria, in line with SDG goals 1, 2, 13 and 17.
Bay States News 