14 Million Nigerians face critical food crisis – FAO
The Cadre Harmonise Analysis Report conducted by the United Nation Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), and other partners in 21 states and the FCT has revealed that over 14 million Nigerians are facing critical food and nutrition crises.
The food security analysis was conducted in 21 states including Abia, Adamawa, Bauchi, Benue, Borno, Cross River, Edo, Enugu, Gombe, Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Lagos, Niger, Plateau, Sokoto, Taraba, Yobe, Zamfara, and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), revealed that of the 158 million people analysed about 14 million of them are in different stages of the food security situation
The CH analysis, however, projected that the number of people in critical phases may increase to 18 million people by May if conscious and intensive efforts are not made to sustain humanitarian support, and other government intervention schemes targeted at the households for recovery and resilience in their livelihoods.
According to the report, factors precipitating the food and nutrition insecurity include insurgency in the North East States, and armed banditry in some North West states.
Others are high inflation rate as evident in soaring food commodity prices, which could be associated with the economic downturn; loss of employment and reduction in household income due to the long-term effect of COVID-19 pandemic, and displacements arising from conflict and armed banditry as evident in the crisis-emergency livelihood coping strategies adopted by most households.
The Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr Ernest Umakhihe, at the presentation workshop described the results as apt and noted that insecurity has also contributed to threatening the country’s food production, nutrition security and distribution system.
He said: “The March 2022 CH results are apt and come at this phase of economic hardship that we are still faced within the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic,” adding that the insecurity situation also continues to threaten Nigeria’s food and nutrition security.
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