Head of Corporate and Regulatory Affairs at Olam Agri, Ade Adefeko, has emphasised the need for Nigeria to address its food security challenges.
In an interview with ARISE NEWS, Adefeko highlighted the mismatch between population growth and food production, with the former growing at a geometrical progression and the latter at an arithmetic progression.
Adefeko noted that Nigeria’s budget allocation to agriculture has been inadequate, ranging from 2.1% to 1.3% in the last three years, which is insufficient to address the country’s food security challenges. He attributed this to competing priorities such as healthcare and education.
“Nigeria’s budget allocation to agriculture has been alarmingly low over the last three years, ranging from 2.1% to 1.3% of the total budget. Instead of increasing, the allocation has remained unstable and extremely poor, neglecting the critical needs of the agricultural sector,” he said.
With Nigeria’s population projected to reach 229 million, Adefeko stressed that food insecurity affects over 226 million people, making it a critical national security issue.
He identified three key challenges facing farmers: limited cultivable hectares, inadequate inputs, and poor infrastructure.
To address these challenges, Adefeko recommended that the government take a strategic, intentional, and cohesive approach to supporting the agricultural sector.
This included providing fertiliser inputs, improving seedlings and seed varieties, and accurate soil mapping.
“The private sector in Nigeria’s agricultural ecosystem needs to be engaged to address key challenges.
“Specifically, improvements are needed in seedlings and seed varieties, as well as accurate soil mapping to determine the suitability of different soils for various crops.
“Currently, Nigeria’s average yield per hectare ranges from 1.5 to 2.5 tons, significantly below the global average of 14-16% for certain crops,”he said.
He also emphasised the need for large-scale mechanisation, nucleus farms, and outgrower schemes to improve farming practices and techniques.
“Nigeria should enhance its farming practices and techniques. large-scale mechanization, are needed and can only be achieved through partnerships with large multinationals.
“But it must have nucleus farms and outgrower schemes, where local farmers are provided with seedlings and supported to grow crops in their own areas through cooperative arrangements which would ensure that local farmers are empowered and assisted to increase their productivity and efficiency,” he added.
Additionally, Adefeko called for physical incentives, subsidies, and policies that support production and consumption.
Regarding rice production, Adefeko noted that Nigeria consumes between 6.5 million and 7 million tons annually, with a deficit of 3 million tons.
He advocated for increased production and improved post-harvest preservation to address this challenge.
In conclusion, Adefeko stressed that Nigeria needs to be deliberate and thoughtful in formulating policies to address its food security challenges.
Boluwatife Enome
Follow us on:
President Bola Tinubu on Friday declared that his purpose for seeking the nation's number one…
Kano state government is partnering Tony Blair Institute for Global Change to attract $23.5 million…
Nigeria's federal government has said it is currently reviewing the nation’s legal frameworks, among other…
The Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, and the Port Harcourt International Airport have been recognised…
https://cdn.veri.app/13646108-d5ec-478b-a54c-b01f60dbca29.mp4 President Bola Ahmed Tinubu On Thursday directed Vice President, Kashim Shettima to lead Nigeria’s…
The United Sates (US) Vice President Kamala Harris has expressed her willingness to use her…
View Comments
SOME CAR LIST BELOW.
081 385 59865
Golf 2 3 4 350k
081 385 59865
2012 Matrix N980k
2011 Honda CRV 700k
2011 Honda Element 950k
2008 Camry 690k
2012 Honda Ridgeline 2.2m
2014 Camry LE 2.750m
Camry Spider 950k
Camry Muscle 850k
Tacoma 2.5M
2013 Ford Edge SEL 2m
2014 Ford Edge SEL .3m
Fresh like toks 2013 Benz E200 N.2m
2012 Rav4 1.9m
2014 Kia Cerato 2.m
2014 Benz GLK350 3m
2014 Range Rover evogue 3.650m
2006 Quest 850k
2008 Kia Rio 800k
2010 Camry Xle 1.680m
Haicebus 2.5M
081 385 59865
TOKUNBO CARS BELOW :�
O8I 66I8 54OO
2014 Corolla Sport 1.8m
Corolla 650k
Camry 2.4 750,000
2012 Corolla Sport 1.970m
2014 Corolla Sport 2.980m
Awoof 2012 Lexus RX350 3.5m
2003 Camry XLE - Back Vent AC - V4 - 550k
2011 Camry N1.280m
2013 Camry N1.520m
2015 Camry LE 1.680m
2005 Matrix 600
Tinylight 350Kpicnic 650k
2007 Toyota Camry 950k
2008 Camry Sport 2m
O8I 66I8 54OO
Highlander 1m
PADRO JEEP 1.6m
2007 Rav4 Sport N800
2011 Honda pilot EX 900k
Camry 2.4 550k
2005 Benz E320 N950k
1999 Sienna 250
ES350 1.5MILLION
ES330 1,300m
2000 Lexus RX300 750
Pegeout 407 Manual AC 420kvenza 1.7m
2008 Honda CRV EX 980
2009 Corolla XLE - Alloy + Formica 850k
2004 Toyota LandCruiser 700k
2004 Corolla LE 350k
Picnic 650k
2010 RX350 1.6m with Mouse
2011 RX350 2m with mouse
2008 Toyota Tundra 2.7m
2006 Avalon Thumbstart 750
2007 Avalon key 950m081 385 59865 }〽.INSTALLMENTAL PAYMENT IS FULL ALLOWED!!All VEHICLES ARE HIGHLY NEGOTIABLE〽WE COMMENCE DELIVERY WITHIN 36 STATE IN NIGERIA081 385 59865