COVID-19 and food crisis

The rainy season has commenced in many parts of the country. However, government policies geared towards addressing or containing the increasing rate of the killer covid-19 such as interstate travel ban, lockdown and curfew imposed by many state governors may hinder successful agricultural production. Although the government has exempted farmers from the lockdown, which means […]

The rainy season has commenced in many parts of the country.

However, government policies geared towards addressing or containing the increasing rate of the killer covid-19 such as interstate travel ban, lockdown and curfew imposed by many state governors may hinder successful agricultural production.

Although the government has exempted farmers from the lockdown, which means they are free to go to their farms, the policies have put a spanner in the wheel of their business. Security officers, which by order, are supposed to comply with government’s directives to allow farmers to have access to their farms, are often accused of extortion.

Besides, the exorbitant prices of fertiliser, pesticides and other farm implements will contribute greatly towards discouraging farming activities.

So far, fertiliser is beyond the reach of the common man; with the price of NPK between N16,000 and N17,000 per-bag.

Sadly, farmers spent the little capital they had during the lockdown.

The post COVID-19 committee should look at the issues raised by the FAO with all seriousness.

With the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) recently putting the number of Nigerians living below $1 at 83 million, the country cannot afford to slide to hunger again.

Since the inception of the Buhari administration, it seemed there was a paradigm shift from oil to agriculture. This can be attested through numerous agricultural policies and programmes implemented to guarantee food security. The Anchor Borrower Programme (ABP) has boosted rice production significantly. I think, more than ever before, the country needs new inclusive agricultural policies to avoid FAO’s doom predictions.

Government at all levels should invest massively in agricultural production. Our peasant or local farmers should be assisted through interest-free loans.

Finally, the government should flood our local markets with improved seedlings and affordable fertilisers.

Ibrahim Mustapha Pambegua, Kaduna State – imustapha650@gmail