Expert advocates federal-state collaboration to tackle food crisis in Nigeria

food price

Key Points

  • Food Crisis: Nigeria faces a persistent food crisis, with rising inflation putting a strain on the population.
  • Collaboration Needed: Agricultural expert urges the federal and state governments to work together to improve food security.
  • Land Ownership Challenge: The Nigerian constitution assigns land management to states, but the federal government lacks access, hindering agricultural planning.
  • State Responsibility: Experts criticise state governments for neglecting agriculture and call for a renewed focus on the sector.
  • Research and Investment: The federal government should invest in research, while states implement workable agricultural models.
  • South-West Example: Collaboration among South-West states in food production is seen as a positive model to emulate.
  • Foreign Exchange Potential: Increased agricultural production can generate foreign exchange for states, reducing reliance on federal allocations.
  • Food Inflation: High inflation rates highlight the urgency of boosting food production.

 

Nigeria faces a persistent food crisis, and experts believe that collaboration between the federal and state governments is crucial to overcoming this challenge.

By working together, these governmental bodies can implement policies, allocate resources, and coordinate efforts to improve agricultural productivity and ensure food security.

Such collaboration is essential for developing and implementing comprehensive and sustainable solutions to Nigeria’s food security challenges.

Call for Collaboration

The Chief Executive Officer of Fortune and Class Limited, Niyi Akinsiju, highlighted the need for improved collaboration between the tiers of government on Friday when he was guest on Channels TV’s Sunrise Daily, monitored by Arbiterz.

Akinsiju pointed out flaws in the current structure of the food production chain and emphasised the need to revisit the constitution to clarify the responsibilities of different government levels in food production and agriculture.

“We need to visit the constitution and examine the relationship between government tiers regarding food production and agriculture. High food inflation incentivises production, but we need proper collaboration among government tiers to address the factors causing food inflation,” Akinsiju stated.

Land Ownership and Agricultural Responsibility

Akinsiju explained that the Nigerian constitution allocates land custody to states and local governments, which are closest to communities and responsible for implementing agricultural plans. However, there has been limited contribution from the federal government and the Federal Ministry of Agriculture due to their lack of access to land.

“The Federal Ministry of Agriculture lacks access to land. Out of approximately 988,000 square kilometres of land in Nigeria, a large portion belongs to the states. We have 686,000 square kilometres of arable land, but only about 44 per cent is used for agriculture, indicating a deficient use of land assets,” he said.

State Governments’ Role in Agriculture

Akinsiju criticised state governments for abandoning their responsibility in food production. He called for a return to the drawing board to design a working model for agriculture, with the federal government investing in research due to its importance to food security.

“State governments need to go back to the drawing board and design a working model for agriculture. The federal government can invest in research, which is crucial for food security,” Akinsiju asserted.

Collaboration Among South-West States

Highlighting a positive example, Akinsiju praised the collaboration among six South-West states in food production. He urged other states to view agriculture as a major foreign exchange earner and to exploit their landmass for agricultural purposes.

“We need to look at this from an economic point of view. If we have 56 per cent of our landmass yet to be exploited, states can benefit significantly. States should see agriculture as a major foreign exchange earner and drive into it,” he advised.

Opportunities for Foreign Exchange

Akinsiju pointed out that Nigerian agricultural products are already moving into the West African region, generating foreign exchange. He encouraged state governments to capitalise on this opportunity rather than relying solely on monthly allocations from Abuja.

“There is movement of Nigerian agricultural products into the West African region, earning foreign exchange. State governments can earn more and shouldn’t wait for monthly FAAC allocations,” he concluded.

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Food Inflation in Nigeria

The urgency of addressing Nigeria’s food production challenges is underscored by rising inflation. The headline inflation rate in April 2024 increased to 33.69 per cent, up from 33.20 per cent in March 2024, showing a 0.49 per cent increase. On a year-on-year basis, the headline inflation rate was 11.47 per cent higher than in April 2023.

Additionally, on a month-on-month basis, the headline inflation rate in April 2024 was 2.29 per cent, marking a 0.73 per cent decrease from March 2024’s rate of 3.02 per cent. Despite this decrease, the average price level continues to rise, highlighting the need for immediate and sustained action to boost food production and ensure food security in Nigeria.

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