A stark report released by Cadre Harmonise (CH) has raised alarm bells, revealing that approximately 26.5 million people across 26 states in Nigeria are on the brink of a severe food crisis between June and August 2024.
The findings, presented in the November Analysis Result Presentation organized by the Kwara Ministry of Agriculture and Human Development in collaboration with CH and other partners, highlight the impending challenges in food and nutrition security.
The report particularly identifies internally displaced persons in Zamfara, Sokoto, and Borno states as the vulnerable groups within this looming crisis.
Isiaq Oloruko-oba, the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, emphasized the importance of such reports in shedding light on the critical food and nutrition security situation facing the nation.
He urged decision-makers to proactively plan for the impending danger and work towards lasting solutions.
Addressing stakeholders at the meeting, Oloruko-oba stressed the commitment of the state government to empower relevant stakeholders, especially farmers, and provide necessary assistance to ensure food security in Kwara.
The gathering provided an opportunity for key players to deliberate on strategies to navigate the challenges outlined in the report.
Olusoji Oyawoye, the State CH Coordinator, highlighted Kwara’s reliance on agriculture as a livelihood source for the majority, focusing on crops such as rice, cassava, yam, soya beans, maize, beniseed, guinea corn, groundnut, cowpea, cashew nuts, and palm oil.
However, he pointed out that inflation has surged due to various factors like disruptions in agricultural activities, increased costs of farm inputs, insecurity, exchange rate devaluation, higher electricity tariffs, and fuel price hikes.
Oyawoye emphasized the need for agricultural produce, especially food crops, to remain within Kwara to ensure local food security.
He called for a shift in focus from cash crops to food crops and advocated for increased processing of large yields of food.
The coordinator appealed to the state government to promote year-round farming and integrate it into the agricultural system.
Habeeb Lawal, the State Coordinator of the Accelerating Nutrition Results in Nigeria (ARIN) project, stressed the vital link between nutrition and food security.
He urged consistent action to address food security, expressing concern for vulnerable groups, including children, the elderly, and pregnant or maternal mothers who face heightened risks.
Lawal warned against the persistent problem of stunted growth among children in the country.
Stakeholders at the meeting recommended encouraging dry season farming and irrigation throughout the state to boost the availability of food crops throughout the seasons.
As the nation grapples with the imminent food crisis outlined in the report, collaborative efforts and proactive measures become imperative to mitigate the potential humanitarian impact on millions of lives.
