As Nigeria celebrates World food Day, ActionAid Nigeria has called on the federal government to prioritize Irrigation, extension services, access to credit, and climate-resilient sustainable agriculture
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While stressing the need to address the water poverty gap in the country, it stressed that the theme of the celebration “Water is Life, Water is Food. Leave No One Behind”, is a reminder of the vital role water plays in eradicating poverty.
Action Aid in a statement signed by the Country Director, Andrew Mamedu, noted that currently, two-third of Nigeria’s population, equivalent to 133 million citizens, lack access to potable water,
While stressing the intrinsic link between water and poverty, he stated that access to clean and safe water is fundamental to breaking the cycle of poverty. He said it was imperative that all stakeholders, particularly federal and state governments, intensify efforts to bridge this significant gap even as ActionAid is actively working to provide access to potable water in numerous communities across the country. However, it
Mamedu said, ‘‘In the agricultural sector, the limited irrigation of only one percent of Nigeria’s crop land highlights the overwhelming dependence on rainfall for irrigation. This reliance, compounded by the unpredictability of climate change, leads to production surges predominantly in the third quarter of each year.”
He observed that key staples such as beans, cassava, maize, millet, rice, sorghum, yam, milk, and fisheries are experiencing low yields, stressing that such underscored the urgency for comprehensive and substantial investments in water and irrigation infrastructure
Mamedu mentioned that while the declaration of a state of emergency on food security in July 2023 by the President was a pivotal step towards addressing the multifaceted challenges in the sector, achieving success however required a concerted effort to synergize the Ministries of Agriculture and Water Resources and ensuring that interventions are targeted and widespread.’’
He further noted that the sharp rise in food inflation, currently at its highest in a decade, and the escalating food import bill are unsustainable trends, stressing the need for urgent and intentional investments in the agriculture sector.
ActionAid Nigeria however urged the federal and state executives, national and state houses of assembly to amplify public investment in agriculture, saying that the strategic approach, with a focus on key areas including irrigation, extension services, access to credit and climate-resilient sustainable agriculture was pivotal in achieving the Maputo/Malabo Commitments and ultimately increasing agricultural GDP.
