WE CAN END HUNGER, BUT HOW?

A cross-section of the plenary speakers

By Ekpor Temple

International efforts are intensifying to end hunger and address the emerging challenge of feeding rapidly increasing populations, especially in developing countries like Nigeria. This informs the ideas and presentations delivered by doyens and experts in the field of Agriculture at the Eastern Nigeria Union Centenary public lecture and food summit held on the 27 October at the Ibitimi Banigo Hall, University of Port Harcourt.

 

Delivering the keynote address, Prof. Cyril Nwamgburuka, said we can end food shortage and hunger if a visionary approach robbed with spirited and committed political will of the country’s political leadership is adopted.

 

The address titled From Doom to Boom: Massive Investments in Agriculture and Food shortage in Nigeria saw over one hundred attendees from all walks of life.

 

Prof. Nwamgburuka, who is a professor of plant breeding and Genetics at Babcock University, revealed that a strong focus on agriculture will build a strong economic foundation in Nigeria. He references that at the country’s independence in 1960, the Gross domestic product (GDP) was pegged at 70% which emanates from Agriculture and currently 70% of the households practice farming in Nigeria.

 

He further asserts that the latest reports rank Nigeria first in Africa and third globally on the incidence of malnutrition. Indeed, nearly 13 million Nigerians still suffer from hunger, with wide disparities across geopolitical zones and between urban and rural areas.

 

“In Nigeria, malnutrition, slow progress in reducing hunger, and new socioeconomic challenges highlight the urgent need for more concerted efforts by key stakeholders to address the food shortage in the country. He spoke.

 

On his part, Prof. Onyekachi F.A. Ibiam (Alex Ekwueme Federal University Ndufu Alike, Ebonyi State). who spoke on the topic: “Curbing food shortages through ‘citizen’ participation in Agriculture” said Nigeria is capable of achieving wealth and food security if the citizens understand their role in nation-building.

 

Also, one of the panelists, Dr. Jude C. Obi, President Association of Organic Agriculture of Nigeria (NOAN), added that Nigeria leaders should implement the Biblical food surplus strategy adopted by Pharaoh and Joseph in Egypt.

Meanwhile, The Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Sen. Abubakar Kyari, ably represented by Mr. Kilishi A. Nuhu, (Deputy Director, Nutrition and Food Safety in the Ministry of Agriculture), in his speech said to transform agriculture, end hunger and food wastage in the country, the federal government and the private sector must be prepared to invest massively in the sector.

 

Abubakar noted that the National Agricultural Technology and Innovation Policy (2023-2027) and the FAO country programming framework would in line with the National Development Plan (2022-2025), aggressively drive Nigeria’s economic diversification programmes and transform food systems to ensure sufficient food in the country as well as export for foreign earnings.

 

He said the country has the richest natural resources for agricultural production in the world, adding that the sector had been contributing consistently to the growth of the economy.

 

 “This exceptional development engineered the Government of Nigeria to continually develop an array of policies, strategies, and programmes to boost food production and productivity in the country.

 

“Obviously, development partners are aware of the federal government’s commitment and initiatives in providing an enabling environment for sustainable investment in agriculture as the mainstay of the national economy.”  He explained.

 

Nonetheless, the minister said the framework emphasizes four pillars of priorities for agricultural development including strengthening national food and nutrition security through enhanced nutrition-sensitive and climate-smart food systems; support for appropriate and operationally effective agricultural policy and regulatory framework.

Representing Prof. Bassey Udoh, the Eastern Nigeria Union president, Pastor Dr. Anyalebechi Nnunukwe lent his scholarly voice on the subject matter and also thanked all who honoured the invitation.