•Says 80% surge in food importation alarming

Except something dramatic happens, no fewer than 94.5 Nigerians will face insufficient food consumption as the estimated 88.5 million already experiencing the pangs of hunger would be joined by six million others by the end of this month.

Senior Special Assistant to the President on Agribusinesses and Productivity Enhancement (SSAP), Kingsley Uzoma, made this known at a policy dialogue, tagged: “Deepening Partnership for Scaling-Up of Information and Communication Technology for Development (ICT4D) for Smallholder Farmers in Nigeria,” in Abuja, yesterday.

It was organised by the Federal Government, International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and the National Information and Technology Development Agency (NITDA).

He said there was an alarming surge of over 80 per cent in food importation between 2019 and 2023 but assured that the Federal Government was committed to reversing the trend.

Food prices have been on the rise across Nigeria in recent years. The situation deteriorated due to the impact of government policies such as the removal of subsidies on petrol, among others.

According to a study, the average annual rate of food inflation for the 12 months ending October 2023 over the previous 12-month average was 26.33 per cent, a 6.50 per cent points increase from the average annual rate of change recorded in October 2022 (19.83 per cent).

The presidential aide identified decline in agricultural capacity as a major contributor to the worsening hunger as the country is being forced to rely heavily on food imports.

He said the country had the highest rate of stunted children globally and added that 70 per cent of the population lived below poverty line and food inflation stood at 31.52 per cent in October.

“This escalating dependence on external sources further intensifies the challenges within the domestic food landscape all of which have resulted in the declaration of state of emergency in food security by Mr. President.

“The IFAD-financed programme such as Value Chain Development Programme (VCDP) and Livelihood Improvement and Family Enterprises Project for the Niger Delta (LIFE-ND), aim to enhance incomes and food security through sustainable practices and integration of ICT4D.

“These programmes involve tool such as the Mini-weather Station (Nimet) and Agriculture Market Information System (AIMS) to benefit farmers.

“However, challenges in data access, gender equality, infrastructure and technical support still exist.”

He identified sustained efforts at digital literacy and collaboration by agencies and private sector as critical in ensuring greater technology adoption by smallholder farmers.

Uzoma said such efforts could translate to improved productivity, extensive technical upscaling, promote best practices, increased trade competitiveness and market access.

The presidential aide said it was essential to apply a twin approach of developing critical technology enabling infrastructure in partnership with the universal service provision fund and mobile network operators while driving low technology solution as USSD and WhatsApp to increase accessibility.

“Increased collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security and the NITDA is necessary to implement the National Digital Agriculture Strategy to further leverage technology for advancement of the agricultural sector.

“These aligned with the mandate of my office under the leadership of the vice president which encompasses a multifaceted approach rooted in technology and innovation to ensure transformative change in Nigeria’s agricultural sector.

“This includes empowering one million women, youths and minorities to achieve food and nutritional sovereignty, ensuring food security and heightened agricultural productive.

“It is also to achieve a 22 billion dollars import substitution of high-value crops like wheat, implement sustainable agricultural practices to promote environmental conservation and mitigate climate change.

“Moreover, the mandate seeks to generate two million direct and six million indirect jobs with a focus on youths and women while simultaneously addressing and minimising farmer/herder crises,” he said.

Dede Ekoue, IFAD Country Drector, said the dialogue was aimed at strengthening partnership for enhanced access of smallholder farmers to digital solutions.

According to her, the solutions will enhance their livelihoods, contribution to food security, nutrition, poverty reduction, economy growth and job creation. (Daily Sun)

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