The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, on Thursday expressed grave concern over the impact of insecurity on food production in Nigeria, noting that the country has experienced a decline in the agricultural sector.
Hon. Abbas, who expressed displeasure over the development during the 22nd Daily Trust Dialogue in Abuja, also attributed the country’s challenges to other factors such as rural-urban migration, dependence on oil, and climate change, all of which pose significant threats to the nation’s food security.
He also warned against the rising “quick-money syndrome” among young Nigerians.
Represented by the Chairman of the House Committee on Food and Nutrition, Hon. Chike Okafor, the Speaker said: “I believe that we must collectively strive to enhance agricultural production, lower costs, and build the infrastructure needed for the agricultural and allied sectors to thrive.
“I do not believe that food security is a privilege. It is a fundamental right. No citizen of our dear country should go to bed hungry because of the contest between availability and affordability.
“With the right focus, driven by the Renewed Hope program and supported by our legislative agenda, I firmly believe that food insecurity in Nigeria will become a thing of the past. We are not far from achieving this.
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“I therefore expect that the robust discussions here today will provide actionable points to strengthen our collective resolve to address the issue of food insecurity in our country.
“For us in the House of Representatives, we are ready to partner with the media on any legislation that may arise from this dialogue to ensure food security in Nigeria.”
The Speaker noted his appreciation for the theme of the dialogue, ‘Food Security: Availability or Affordability?’, describing it as timely and relevant.
“With the saying that hunger is an injustice in a world of abundance, this topic could not have been more appropriate.
“The issues for discussion, particularly as Nigeria continues to grapple with high inflation that significantly impacts citizens’ purchasing power and exacerbates food insecurity, are both timely and crucial,” he said.
Hon. Abbas highlighted that the issue of food security aligns with the Legislative Agenda of the 10th House, which places emphasis on diversifying the economy through agricultural development to guarantee food security and self-sufficiency.
He remarked, “We cannot effectively discuss issues affecting poor agricultural yield and food insecurity in Nigeria without addressing the devastating effects of insecurity across the country, particularly on farming communities. Insecurity has led to a decline in agricultural productivity, displacement of farmers, and poor yields.
“Today, the Federal Government is making every effort to address these challenges and ensure that farmers can return to their communities and lands because the decline in productivity leads to food shortages and economic losses for both the country and the farmers.
“Insecurity has also hindered Nigeria’s ability to achieve its national goal of becoming a hunger-free nation. Displaced farmers are unable to farm, and those who do are often prevented from harvesting their crops. In some parts of the country, non-state actors hold farmers to ransom and demand various taxes before allowing them to harvest their produce.”
The Speaker emphasized the long-standing nature of food insecurity in Nigeria, driven by factors such as insecurity, lack of infrastructure to scale production, and economic instability.
“The greatest culprit, however, has been years of diverted focus from the agricultural sector. These are the years when we, as a nation, shifted focus from agriculture and its potential to drive the national economy and concentrated more on the petroleum sector,” he lamented.
Despite Nigeria’s fertile arable land, estimated at 36.9 million hectares, a large and young population, and efforts by past administrations to rejuvenate agriculture, Hon. Abbas noted that the sector contributes less than 30% to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
“This has economic implications and dire consequences for our national food security,” he said.
Hon. Abbas also highlighted the negative impact of climate change on agriculture, citing unpredictable weather patterns that disrupt farming activities and reduce crop yields.
He added that urban migration presents another challenge, with the exodus of able-bodied individuals to cities leading to a decline in the rural workforce.
“This trend, while reflective of global patterns, poses unique challenges for Nigeria, particularly in the agricultural sector. The dwindling interest in agriculture among youths, who are drawn to urban opportunities and the quick-money syndrome, exacerbates the situation.
“Sadly, this syndrome brings more harm to families and the nation than hard work, focus, and consistency ever could,” he said.
On the legislative front, the Speaker reiterated that economic growth and development are core components of the 10th House’s Legislative Agenda.
He highlighted the parliament’s focus on addressing challenges such as insecurity, lack of technology, and inadequate funding.
“Our solutions involve a multipronged legislative approach, executive willpower, and stakeholder collaboration. We have committed to enacting policies that support farmers with subsidies, access to credit, and modern farming techniques.
“We also aim to develop legislation promoting digital innovation, data protection, and e-commerce while enhancing Nigeria’s export potential and reducing dependence on unnecessary imports,” he explained.
Hon. Abbas further stressed the importance of collaboration between the government and the private sector in areas such as seed production, agro-processing, and infrastructure development.
“These are critical for achieving our national vision of food security. As legislators, we understand our role in providing the legal frameworks and oversight necessary for these policies to succeed,” he added.
The Speaker also pointed out that many House members have dedicated constituency projects to agricultural inputs and interventions, which are essential for their constituents’ livelihoods.
He concluded: “This dialogue on food security is a call to action for all, including the private sector and especially young people.
“We call on the private sector to invest in agriculture to complement government efforts. Together, we can overcome these challenges and secure a hunger-free Nigeria.”
NIGERIAN TRIBUNE