The Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) of the United Nations (UN) has identified biotechnology as one of the innovative tools for developing crops that can withstand climate change and pests, thereby ensuring food security.
The assistant FAO representative, Prof. Salisu Mohammed, made this statement while providing recommendations for a holistic approach to tackling food insecurity in Nigeria during the commemoration of the 2024 World Food Day, themed “The Right to Food for a Better Life and a Better Future,” organised by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (FMAFS) on October 16 in Abuja.
According to him, Nigeria, like other nations globally, faces the challenge of food insecurity primarily due to conflicts, weather shocks, inequalities, and economic downturns. “Nigeria faces similar challenges to the rest of the world: climate-related crises, including droughts and floods; economic factors such as inflation and limited production quality; and high insecurity levels due to farmer/herder clashes, banditry, and the Boko Haram insurgency. Additionally, there are limited livelihood options and restricted access to functional markets,” he stated.
Mohammed highlighted the March 2024 Cadre Harmonisé (CH) projection, which indicated that 31.8 million people in Nigeria are at risk of acute food insecurity. “Recently, Nigeria was hit by devastating floods, leading to an estimated food loss of 855,629 metric tons across the country. This amount could feed 8.5 million people for six months. Nigeria will face further adversities, but there are solutions if we work together,” he said.
The FAO representative recommended a holistic approach that includes the government, private sector, civil society, and local communities to tackle impending food security challenges. “The government needs to create an enabling environment for production and equitable access to safe and nutritious diets for all through its agrifood systems policies and programs. This will encourage private sector investment in agrifood value chains and provide job opportunities.
“The private sector must take responsibility for driving large-scale production through the deployment of innovative technologies and transparent business models. The United Nations (FAO) provides technical support to the government to overcome challenges related to low productivity, extreme weather conditions and policy implementation.
“Youth are crucial stakeholders in this effort. Engaging young people in agricultural innovation and sustainable practices is essential for fostering a food-secure future. We must empower them to become advocates for healthy diets and sustainable agrifood systems.
“Women play a critical role in the agriculture sector. They must have a seat at the table to participate in decision-making processes. Research institutes and universities need to fund research aimed at developing resistant and high-yielding varieties, introducing new technologies and techniques. Biotechnology offers solutions for developing resilient crops that can withstand climate change and pests, thereby ensuring food security,” he added.
Earlier, the Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Sen. Aliyu Abdullahi underscored that the objectives of World Food Day are to raise awareness about global food security issues, promote global cooperation and action to address hunger and malnutrition, support sustainable agriculture and food systems, initiate policies to ensure food accessibility, availability, and affordability, and inspire collective action to achieve Zero Hunger.
He highlighted the Federal Government’s commitment to enhancing food security under the ‘Renewed Hope’ agenda of President Bola Tinubu. Abdullahi asserted that the Tinubu administration is implementing numerous policies, programmes and initiatives to ensure the Right to Food for a better life and a better future in Nigeria by prioritising food security within its Renewed Hope Agenda.
“It is the resolve of the current administration to develop the agricultural sector to meet the objectives of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially those targeting Zero Hunger, while also improving agricultural and rural productivity. Agriculture remains a potent tool to combat hunger, poverty, and unemployment. Against this backdrop, we wish to reiterate our commitment to reducing these challenges and ensuring prosperity for all Nigerians,” he added.
The minister commended the FAO, World Food Programme, Nestlé Nigeria Ltd., Oxfam, ActionAid, National Agricultural Foundation of Nigeria, the All Farmers’ Association of Nigeria and many other partners who have contributed significantly to the success of this year’s World Food Day.
In summary, the adoption of biotechnology in agriculture, combined with collaborative efforts among various stakeholders, is crucial for Nigeria to address the challenges of food insecurity effectively. The emphasis on involving youth and women in agricultural innovation, along with the government’s commitment to creating an enabling environment, highlights a comprehensive approach to ensuring food security and sustainability in Nigeria.
