As Nigeria’s food inflation stands at 40.87 per cent, the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) has lamented that farmers no longer have the capacity to produce enough food to feed more than 230 million people.
The LCCI emphasised that the economy was at a crossroads, facing unprecedented challenges in its food systems in the face of unique opportunities that could redefine Nigeria’s position in the global agricultural landscape.
President and Chairman of Council, LCCI, Mr. Gabriel Idahosa, made this known in his opening remarks during the agriculture & allied group 2024 symposium/agro-fair in Lagos.
He said the poor food supply had reached all-time high in the country, with hunger, poverty, austerity at the front burner. Idahosa said: “Today, we are at a crossroads, facing unprecedented challenges in our food systems in the face of unique opportunities that could redefine Nigeria’s position in the global agricultural landscape.
“As we gather, we cannot ignore the urgent food crisis our nation faces where our food security situation is dire, with food inflation surging to 40.87 per cent as of June 2024 and the number of food-insecure Nigerians skyrocketed from 66.2 million in Q1’23 to 100 million in Q1’24.
Among these, 18.6 million are facing acute hunger. “These figures are more than statistics; they represent millions of lives affected by hunger, malnutrition, and poverty. “Unfortunately, too, we do not have the capacity to produce enough food to cater to the feeding needs of more than 230 million people.”
While speaking on the theme: “Nigeria Food Production in Global Space: Leveraging Our Competitive Advantage,” the LCCI president pointed out that government tried its best on import waivers on food importation, but there was deliberate need to build capacity of local food producers to meet the demands of Nigerians.
He stated: “While we commend the import waivers given for some food imports, we must be deliberate in building the capacity of local food producers to meet the demands of Nigerians.
“We must be diligent in our fiscal policy direction while we initiate specially targeted programmes for food production in Nigeria. “We must invest in agricultural research to boost our output through improved seedlings, disease prevention, and the deployment of modern technology for agricultural mechanisation.”
Idahosa added: “Despite every effort, persistent structural vulnerabilities have hindered Nigeria’s agricultural progress. The economy’s high dependence on oil revenue and food imports, rapid population growth, and urbanisation present formidable challenges to our food systems.
“The agricultural goods imported were valued at N920.54b billion, reflecting a 29.45 per cent increase compared to N711.14 billion in Q4 2023 and a 95.28 per cent rise compared to N471.39 billion in Q1 2023.
“In 2023, Nigerians spent $2.13 billion to import food items from foreign countries. “Factors such as inadequate infrastructure, insecurity, and climate change impacts hinder progress in the agriculture sector.”
Also speaking at the event, Chairman, LCCI Agro-Allied, Kola Aderibibge, said: “The Nigeria Agricultural ecosystem needs to address global food security challenges and transforming agrifood through continued innovation, collaboration, and strategic implementation.
“It is no longer news that Nigeria can’t meet SDGs 2 vision: End to Hunger. We need to cure Nigeria from mentality of consumption society to sustainable food production which requires collective efforts.
“Nigeria does not lack the resources needed to develop from within; from natural to human resources, the country stands out with abundant endowments that beg for effective and efficient utilisations.
“It should be clear to all and sundries that anytime we import what can be produced in Nigeria, we import high unemployment and constantly devaluation of naira.
“With security being number two point on Mr President 8 points agenda, We need to provide a secured, stable and promising ambiance to encourage farmers and the citizens to go back to farm and to attract foreign agro-investors for sustainable national development.”