COVID-19 and food crisis
SIR: The Food and Agricultural Organisation , 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.
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.
The raining season has commenced in many parts of the country. However, government policies geared to address or contain the rate of the virus 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.
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.
Nigeria Latest News, Nigeria Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
COVID-19: How we survived COVID-19 disease – Umahi’s aidesTwo aides of Governor David Umahi of Ebonyi have explained how they survived the deadly COVID-19 pandemic, saying that they were miraculously healed by God. The aides, Prof. Ogbonnaya Chukwu, the s…
Read more »
COVID-19 won't stall projects, says Wike - The NationRivers Governor, Nyesom Wike, has vowed to complete all his ongoing projects in the state despite the coronavirus pandemic.He spoke on..
Read more »
Ekiti records four new COVID-19 cases - The Nation NigeriaEkiti has confirmed four new cases of coronavirus, bringing to 29 the number of confirmed cases in the state.Commissioner for Health and Human...
Read more »
BREAKING: Nigeria records 315 new cases of COVID-19, total now 12,801Nigeria has recorded 315 new cases of Coronavirus, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has announced.NCDC, on its verified twitter handle
Read more »
Nigeria Records 315 New COVID-19 Cases, Total Infections Now 12,801BREAKING: Nigeria Records 315 New COVID-19 Cases, Total Infections Now 12,801
Read more »
Reps Grill PTF Over N22bn COVID-19 FundsReps Grill PTF Over N22bn COVID-19 Funds
Read more »