The 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, has said that food insecurity is intrinsically linked to human insecurity in Africa and Nigeria.
Peter Obi said this while speaking as one of the panelists at the Africa Food Systems Forum 2024, held in the Rwandan capital, Kigali, on Friday.
According to him, 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.”
The Labour Party chieftain said if Nigeria reduces food imports, it will ease the strain on the country’s currency and address inflation driven by high food costs.
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.
Food insecurity, if addressed properly in Africa, can be a catalyst for enhancing human security and promoting overall development.
With significant investments in agriculture and food systems, we can create jobs, reduce poverty, and tackle hunger simultaneously.
We can even feed basic food processing industries and thus create even more jobs,” Obi said.
The former governor of Anambra State advised that Nigeria and Africa must feed its citizens.
He emphasized that sustainable agriculture would lead to a more prosperous and secure Africa.
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.
We must prioritize food security to unlock the continent’s potential and address the pressing issues of human insecurity.
An Africa that feeds itself is at the center of our aspiration,” he added.
