The Federal Government says
there is an alarming surge of over 80 per cent in food importation between 2019
and 2023.
Senior Special Assistant to
the President on Agribusinesses and Productivity Enhancement (SSAP), Dr
Kingsley Uzoma, disclosed at the National Policy Dialogue on Thursday in Abuja.
The policy dialogue is tagged
“Deepening Partnership for Scaling-Up of Information and Communication
Technology for Development (ICT4D) for Smallholder Farmers in Nigeria.”
It was organised by the
Federal Government, International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and
the National Information and Technology Development Agency (NITDA).
He said that no fewer than
88.5 million Nigerians were faced with insufficient food consumption while the
figure was projected to increase by six million in December.
Uzoma said the Federal Government
was committed to reversing the trend.
The senior special assistant
identified decline in agricultural capacity as a major contributor as the
country was being forced to rely heavily on food imports.
He said the country had the
highest rate of stunted children globally added that 70 per cent of the population
lived below poverty line and food inflation stood at 31.52 per cent in October.
“This escalating dependence on
external sources further intensifies the challenges within the domestic food
landscape all of which have resulted in the declaration of state of emergency
in food security by Mr President.
“The IFAD-financed programme
such as Value Chain Development Programme (VCDP) and Livelihood Improvement and
Family Enterprises Project for the Niger Delta (LIFE-ND), aim to enhance
incomes and food security through sustainable practices and integration of
ICT4D.
“These programmes involve tool
such as the Mini-weather Station (Nimet) and Agriculture Market Information System
(AIMS) to benefit farmers.
“However, challenges in data
access, gender equality, infrastructure and technical support still exist,” he
said.
He identified sustained
efforts at digital literacy and collaboration by agencies and private sector as
critical in ensuring greater technology adoption by smallholder farmers.
Uzoma said such efforts could
translate to improved productivity, extensive technical upscaling, promote best
practices, increased trade competitiveness and market access.
The presidential aide said it
was essential to apply a twin approach of developing critical technology
enabling infrastructure in partnership with the universal service provision
fund and mobile network operators while driving low technology solution as USSD
and WhatsApp to increase accessibility.
“Increased collaboration with
the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security and the NITDA is
necessary to implement the National Digital Agriculture Strategy to further
leverage technology for advancement of the agricultural sector.
“These aligned with the
mandate of my office under the leadership of the vice president which
encompasses a multifaceted approach rooted in technology and innovation to
ensure transformative change in Nigeria’s agricultural sector.
“This includes empowering one
million women, youths and minorities to achieve food and nutritional
sovereignty, ensuring food security and heightened agricultural productive.
“It is also to achieve a $22
billion import substitution of high-value crops like wheat, implement
sustainable agricultural practices to promote environmental conservation and mitigate
climate change.
“Moreover, the mandate seeks
to generate two million direct and six million indirect jobs with a focus on
youth and women while simultaneously addressing and minimising farmer/herder
crises,” he said.
Mrs Dede Ekoue, IFAD Country
Director, said the dialogue was aimed at strengthening partnership for enhanced
access of smallholder farmers to digital solutions.
According to her, the
solutions will enhance their livelihoods, contribution to food security, nutrition,
poverty reduction, economy growth and job creation.
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