Solutions To Food Crisis in Nigeria By Taofeek Mustapha

Nigeria is blessed with land and numerous natural resources as a black nation across the world.Agricultural products are some of the resources that made Nigeria one of the greatest nation in the early 70s in the world.

In 1952 to 1959, Chief Obafemi Awolowo led Western Region Premier thrived with agricultural products such as cocoa, cassava and other products to have built Cocoa House in lbadan, established Oodua Investment across the Western Region in Nigeria.

In the 70s and 80s, Nigeria’s educational curriculum captured Agricultural Science as a subject taught in school and put to practice in such a way that portion of land were apportioned to pupils and students for Agricultural practical.

Agriculture was taken seriously as core subject, taught in schools and also as means of food production and sustainability.

ln fact, Nigeria’s flag was designed by a student, Taiwo Akinkunmi during flag design competition in 1959.He designed Green White Green flag for Nigeria and he eventually won the competition based on the enthusiasm and passion he had for Agriculture and for the love of the country at heart.The Green colour stands for Agriculture while the White stands for peace.Both Agriculture and Peace came as missing link in Nigeria today.The significance and enthusiasm for Agriculture became elusive and Moribund in our dear country.

Operation Feed The Nation scheme was established by Olusegun Obasanjo’s military administration in 20 May, 1976 to achieve food self sufficiency in Agriculture and to encourage youths back to farming.

The scheme also forfeited and not materialized as farmers were not given adequate modern equipments, incentives, seeds and insecticides to move on.

Nigerian’s “Green Revolution” later introduced by former President Shehu Sagari’s administration in 1980 to increase food production in ensuring food security and sustainability in Nigeria,which was not achievable after military topple of the administration.

Today, the colour green in the Nigeria’s National Flag is irrelevant as agriculture is relegated to background in the country.Some have schools lack agricultural teachers, while students have been discouraged for lack of land to practice in schools and institutions.

The question begging for answer is; why the chosen of green colour since the significance of Agriculture is irrelevant neither achievable in the country.

President ‘Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Honourable Minister for Agriculture, Alhaji Abubakar Kyari should focus on these:

There should massive advocacy on Agricultural practice, and benefits to be derived in it,where lands should be allocated to interested individuals in farming with fund to start with.This can later materialized for Nigeria.

There should be adequate monitoring of individuals given agricultural loans, and mobilized with other incentives to move ahead.

There should be Subsidy on food items in Nigeria and make Agricultural Science compulsory subjects in all schools and institutions in Nigeria as this could encourage youths at will.

Government should be proactive in the Agriculture ministries, introduced Capacity Buildings and put all the ministers, commissioners and Supervisory Councillors on their toes at the federal,States and Local Government levels in delivering their acquired stuffs and discharge of their duties to the people.

Government should do massive production of food crops and items to cushion the effect of food shortage and to create enabling Environment for food security in the country.

Neighborhood faming should be encouraged in all habitable sites, and in the urban areas to serve as first hand feeding to the people.

Government should build food hubs in all Local Governments and sell in surplus at cheaper rate to avert food scarcity at large among the people.

With all these, Nigerian can feed, live and be safe in these trying time of food scarcity in the country.

Mustapha is a public affairs commentator and could be contacted via:. +234 802 979 9695