Highlighting a staggering reality, Mr. Temitope Fadeshemi, the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, made a solemn declaration on Wednesday in Kaduna.
He revealed that an alarming 88.4 million people in Nigeria are ensnared in the clutches of extreme poverty, a revelation that underscores the urgent need for concerted efforts to address this pressing issue.
This disclosure unfolded during the distribution of vital farm inputs to 250 smallholder farmers, a crucial initiative orchestrated under the ambit of the National Poverty Reduction with Growth Strategy (NPRGS).
Representing the Permanent Secretary, Mr. Bashir Abdulkadir, the Director of the Department of Extension Services at the ministry, elucidated the gravity of the situation.
“The level of poverty in Nigeria is alarming,” Abdulkadir emphasized. “An estimated population of 88.4 million people in Nigeria is living in extreme poverty.”
He went on to delineate the gender disparities within this distressing statistic, noting that approximately 44.7 million men and 43.7 million women are grappling with destitution, surviving on less than $1.90 USD per day.
Such staggering figures poignantly underscore the pervasive nature of poverty that permeates Nigerian society.
Moreover, Abdulkadir highlighted Nigeria’s stark contribution to the global poverty landscape, with a notable 12.9 percent of the world’s extreme poor hailing from the nation, as of 2022. This sobering reality amplifies the urgency for proactive measures to alleviate poverty and uplift millions from the depths of deprivation.
In the backdrop of this grim reality, the distribution of farm inputs assumes heightened significance as a beacon of hope for smallholder farmers battling the vicissitudes of poverty.
Abdulkadir emphasized that the event marked a pivotal milestone in the Federal Government’s unwavering commitment to bolstering the livelihoods of these farmers and fostering sustainable agricultural practices across the nation.
“I am delighted to remind you that NPRGS, in collaboration with the Federal Department of Agricultural Extension Service (FDAE), has diligently enumerated and validated approximately 250 farmers for participation in this transformative program,” Abdulkadir declared, acknowledging the indispensable role of smallholder farmers in the nation’s agricultural landscape.
He further articulated that the NPRGS epitomizes the government’s steadfast dedication to tackling poverty at its roots, with a resolute focus on harnessing the transformative potential of agriculture to spur economic growth and development.
Initiatives like the training and empowerment program organized on this occasion epitomize the government’s commitment to sowing the seeds of positive change, ensuring that smallholder farmers are equipped with the requisite knowledge, resources, and support to thrive amidst the evolving agricultural panorama.
In essence, the acknowledgment of Nigeria’s stark reality regarding extreme poverty serves as a clarion call for concerted action, underscoring the imperative for multifaceted interventions aimed at ameliorating the plight of millions trapped in the vicious cycle of deprivation.
As the nation grapples with this formidable challenge, initiatives such as the NPRGS offer a glimmer of hope, illuminating a pathway towards a future where prosperity transcends the confines of poverty, empowering every Nigerian to realize their full potential.
