In a revelation by Dr. Kingsley Uzoma, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Agribusinesses and Productivity Enhancement (SSAP), the federal government has acknowledged an alarming 80% surge in food importation to Nigeria from 2019 to 2023. This announcement was made during the National Policy Dialogue held on Thursday in Abuja.
Addressing the gathering, Uzoma expressed concern, stating that a staggering 88.5 million Nigerians were grappling with insufficient food consumption, and this number was anticipated to rise by an additional six million in December.
The dialogue, themed “Deepening Partnership for Scaling-Up of Information and Communication Technology for Development (ICT4D) for Smallholder Farmers in Nigeria,” was jointly organized by the Federal Government, the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), and the National Information and Technology Development Agency (NITDA).
Uzoma reassured that the federal government is resolute in reversing this concerning trend, especially considering Nigeria’s disconcerting status as having the highest global rate of stunted children, with 70% of the population living below the poverty line. Notably, in October, food inflation marked a significant 31.52%.
The presidential aide highlighted IFAD-financed programs like the Value Chain Development Programme (VCDP) and Livelihood Improvement and Family Enterprises Project for the Niger Delta (LIFE-ND). These initiatives aim to boost incomes and food security through sustainable practices and the integration of ICT4D tools, including the Mini-weather Station (Nimet) and Agriculture Market Information System (AIMS).
Acknowledging the challenges of data access, gender equality, infrastructure, and technical support, Uzoma emphasized the urgent need for continuous initiatives in digital literacy and collaboration among agencies and the private sector. These efforts are crucial for enhancing technology adoption among smallholder farmers, leading to increased productivity, technical advancement, and improved market access.
He stressed the importance of increased collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security and the NITDA to implement the National Digital Agriculture Strategy, aligning with the multifaceted approach mandated by the vice president’s office. This approach aims to empower one million women, youths, and minorities for food and nutritional sovereignty, ensuring food security and heightened agricultural productivity.
Dede Ekoue, IFAD Country Director, highlighted that the dialogue’s objective was to strengthen partnerships for enhanced access to digital solutions for smallholder farmers. Implementing these solutions is anticipated to elevate livelihoods and contribute significantly to food security, nutrition, poverty reduction, economic growth, and job creation.
