COVID-19 and food crisis

Ibrahim Mustapha

SIR: The Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO), has released a damning report of imminent or looming hunger in the African continent as the result of Covid-19 pandemic unless a workable solution is put in place to arrest the horrible situation. In its released report, FAO pointed out that Nigeria is one of the African countries that would be hit by hunger. It identifies Yobe, Borno and Adamawa states to have a cumulative population of over 2.3 million people living in hunger between April and May this year. The figures may jump any moment from now.

Even before the outbreak of deadly Covid-19 pandemic and FAO reports on the likely hunger in Nigeria, indications have long emerged that the country may fall into hunger trap. The volume of humanitarian crises arising from farmer/herders conflict and the activities of bandits in Northwest states which have displaced thousands of rural farmers are worrisome. These condemnable phenomena have disrupted food production chain in the country. Added to these woes are the negative impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic on the farming season.

The raining season has commenced in many parts of the country. However, government policies geared to address or contain the rate of the virus (Covid-19) such as inter states lockdown and curfew imposed by many state governors may hinder the successful agricultural production in the country. Although, the various state governments have exempted farmers from the lockdown, which means they are free to go to their farms, the policies have put spanner in the wheel of their business. Security officers expected to comply by government directives to allow farmers to have access to their farms are often accused of extortion. Besides, the exorbitant price of fertilisers, pesticide and other farm implements, contribute greatly towards discouraging farming activities. So far, fertilisers are beyond the reach of the common man with the price of N.P.K between N16000 and N17000 per-bag. Sadly, the farmers, after spending the little capital they have during the lockdown period are left with nothing to invest this year.

The post covid-19 committee should look at the issues raised by the FAO with all the seriousness it deserves. With the National Bureau of Statistics recently putting the number of Nigerians living below one dollar to 83 million, the country cannot afford a further slide.

Since the inception of Buhari administration, there has been a paradigm shift from oil to agriculture. This can be attested through numerous agricultural policies and programs implemented to guarantee food production and sustainability. The ANCHOR borrowers’ policy of the Central Bank has boosted rice production significantly. More than ever before, the country needs new inclusive agricultural policies to avoid FAO’s doomsday predictions. Government at all levels should invest massively in agricultural production. Our peasant or local farmers should be assisted through interest free loans. The government should flood our local markets with improved seedlings and affordable fertilisers.

• Ibrahim Mustapha,

Pambegua, Kaduna State.