Adopt engineering solutions to tackle food shortage, NSE tells govt
23 November 2024 |
2:25 am
The Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE) has charged the Federal Government to adopt engineering solutions to tackle the food shortage in Nigeria. In a communiqué issued at the end of its 57th international engineering conference
The Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE) has charged the Federal Government to adopt engineering solutions to tackle the food shortage in Nigeria. In a communiqué issued at the end of its 57th international engineering conference and exhibition held in Abuja, the engineering body bemoaned the high level of post-harvest loss in the country, currently estimated at 40 per cent.
The conference, which had, ‘Sustainable Engineering Solutions to Food Security and Climate Change’ as its theme, explored the interconnectedness of climate change and food security.
To tackle food shortage in the country, the NSE argued that public-private partnerships, including involvement from government, private sector, non-governmental organisations, and local communities, are critical in scaling sustainable engineering solutions and ensuring long-term impact.
The NSE stressed that with engineering innovation, oil companies should adopt suitable technology to prevent oil spills and minimise damage to agricultural land in their operational areas.
It further stressed the importance of improved storage facilities, cold chains, and transportation networks, adding that such infrastructure reduces food spoilage, ensures better market access, and strengthens the resilience of food supply chains.
The communiqué, which was read by the NSE President, Margaret Oguntala, said the conference noted that renewable energy was identified as a critical enabler for climate-resilient food production systems, especially in rural and off-grid areas.
It added: “Solar and wind energy can power irrigation, mechanised farming, and cold storage, reducing dependence on fossil fuels and contributing to sustainable food security.”
The NSE also submitted that effective climate change mitigation and food security solutions require collaboration across sectors. It equally argued that policy frameworks that support climate-smart agriculture, encourage innovation in sustainable engineering, and facilitate climate finance are essential in achieving sustainable food security.
The conference also maintained that empowering local farmers and rural communities with knowledge, skills, and access to sustainable technologies is crucial for enhancing food security, while capacity building ensures that communities can implement and sustain climate-resilient agricultural practices over the long term.
The NSE noted that rising temperatures, erratic rainfall, soil degradation, and increased frequency of extreme weather events threaten agricultural productivity and food availability.
It stated that as climate change disproportionately affects developing countries like Nigeria, addressing food security requires urgent, integrated, and innovative engineering solutions.
The NSE applauded President Bola Tinubu for establishing the National Engineering and Innovation Fund, which is designed to provide grants and resources to engineers and technologists working on solutions for Nigeria’s unique challenges.
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