Obi advises Tinubu how to end food shortage in Nigeria

Obi advises Tinubu how to end food shortage

The former Anambra governor and presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the last election, Peter Obi, has recommended to the Federal Government the measures to take in resolving the persistent food crisis in the country.

In a statement released on Monday to commemorate the 2023 World Food Day, Obi highlighted the urgency of investing significantly in agriculture.

Obi emphasized that tapping into the agricultural potential of the fertile northern lands could serve as a critical solution to the ongoing food crisis affecting the country. He proposed that these fertile regions, if properly utilized, could yield an abundance of agricultural products, meeting the needs of both domestic consumption and export markets.

The former governor expressed his concern about the disruption of food production caused by the activities of non-state actors, who have unleashed violence in various Nigerian communities. Obi observed that these security challenges have further exacerbated the food crisis, as they hinder the production and distribution of essential food supplies.

Obi stated, “As a consequence, a substantial portion of the Nigerian population is compelled to allocate the majority of their disposable income towards food expenditures, often falling short of meeting their nutritional requirements. The distressing frequency of attacks on Nigerian farmers by armed and terror groups continues to undermine food production, ultimately pushing the country deeper into a severe hunger crisis.”

He also stressed that insufficient investment in agriculture has played a significant role in exacerbating the food crisis in Nigeria.

Obi proposed a solution, stating, “I have consistently maintained that the vast and arable lands in Northern Nigeria, if harnessed for productive agricultural activities, can generate sufficient food for both domestic consumption and international export. This can potentially yield more revenue for our nation than what we currently derive from the oil industry. Therefore, it is imperative for the government to make substantial investments in the agricultural sector to ensure an ample supply of food for Nigeria and the global market.”