The Presidential candidate of Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 election, Mr. Peter Obi, has disclosed that increasing domestic food production will reduce Nigeria’s reliance on imports, thereby stabilising the Naira’s value.
Mr. Obi emphasised that solving food insecurity is a major path to general security in Nigeria, noting that food insecurity in Africa is intrinsically linked to human insecurity.
He made the remarks as a panellist at the 2024 Africa Food Systems Forum held in Kigali, Rwanda’s capital, on Friday.
His words: “By investing in agriculture and food-related productivity, Nigeria will not only be addressing the hunger, will also create huge job opportunities for the teeming unemployed population, especially the youths in their productive age.
“Reducing reliance on food imports will help ease the strain on our currency, steady exchange rates, and rein in inflationary pressures driven by high food costs.
“To further elucidate the untapped potential in our food production chain, Bangladesh, with approximately 148,000 square kilometres less than 1/6th of Nigeria’s about 923,768 square kilometres, produces 35-40 million tons of rice annually.
“In contrast, Nigeria produces only 3-4 million tons of rice, which is roughly 10% of Bangladesh’s rice production. This disparity which is similar to the African situation highlights the untapped potential of Africa’s agricultural sector and underscores the need for investment.”
According to him, food insecurity, if addressed properly in Africa, can be a catalyst for enhancing human security and promoting overall development.
The former Anambra State Governor stated that with significant investments in agriculture and food systems, Nigeria and the African continent can create jobs, reduce poverty, and tackle hunger simultaneously.
“We can even feed basic food processing industries and thus create even more jobs. By focusing on sustainable agricultural practices and value-chain improvements, we cannot only ensure food also empower communities and promote economic growth, leading to a more prosperous and secure Africa,” he added.
He further said that Africa must prioritise food security to unlock the continent’s potential and address the pressing issues of human insecurity, adding that “an Africa that feeds itself is at the center of our aspiration.”
