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Global food crisis: Which way Nigeria?
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The food crisis is gaining more prominence internationally and many nations of the world, who have often been circumspect on such sensitive issues, have risen to this global challenge. Nigeria, with the rest of the world, is subject to the realities and consequences of these worldwide food shortages.
From the reasons of global warming, arising from the depletion of the ozone layer; overpopulation, inadequate planning and projection, overdependence on food imports, drought, to outright nonchalance; the food crisis has presented the challenge of what promises to be a prolonged world disaster. It is not just beginning to happen, the warning signals had always been there. Nigerians and successive governments cannot feign ignorance of this.
We recall Federal government's failed attempts at fashioning out what seemed laudable, sustainable projects on food and agriculture. One of these was the Operation Feed the Nation (OFN) of the Military regime of Olusegun Obasanjo in the late 70s. This was followed by the Green Revolution of the Second Republic under the presidency of Shehu Usman Shagari between 1979 and 1983. Then came the Directorate of Foods, Roads and Rural Infrastructure (DFRRI) of the Military regime of Ibrahim Babangida in the mid 80s. Not much is known of any attempts by the last civilian administration of Olusegun Obasanjo (1999 -2007) to consolidate on any of the preceding food projects. All those are now history. The problem they were meant to solve is now here.
The way government and its agencies the world over, Nigeria inclusive, deal with the food crisis could mean the difference between life and death for millions of people, especially the poor. It could also mean the difference between stability and upheaval, war and peace. History is replete with examples of such consequences.
Unlike in the past when the United Nations and charitable countries gave food handouts to countries ravaged by drought, war and other disasters, there may be little handouts this time. This is because of the global nature of the problem. This means that many countries of the world will have to resolve the problem by themselves. Indications to this effect are already beginning to manifest.
Major rice-producing countries are placing restrictions on rice exports, recognising that their first responsibility is to feed their own people. Rice is the staple food of half of the world's 6.6 billion people. The Vietnam Food Association has asked members to stop signing rice export contracts through June. China has placed a five percent levy on exports since January. Likewise, Egypt has banned rice shipments through October. The Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) has indicated that global demand for cereals will expand by 2.6 percent this year. This is 1.6 percent above the ten-year average, Millions more of the world's most vulnerable people are facing starvation as food shortages loom and crop prices continue to rise. For the first time in recent history, the impact is spreading from developing nations to the developed world.
How is the Nigerian government facing up to this looming crisis? The Federal Government in the usual panic measure has set apart N80 billion for the importation of rice. This, it said it was doing with a view to flooding the market with rice and forcing down the already spiraling prices so that the commodity would be within the reach of the generality of Nigerians. Some concerned Nigerian have criticised this move as coming rather late. They also wonder from where government will get this vast import, as the major producers have placed restrictions on exports.
The Food crisis is not just about rice. It is about inadequate foods and potable water, which exist side by side with hapless nations and their citizens averse to growing their own food. Enlightened and properly structured governments across the world have anticipated this food crisis well ahead of time and taken measures to cushion the impact.
At present, the Federal government's pronouncement on rice imports betrays its officials as not being quite knowledgeable about the real issues and how monumental the consequences are.
Since food is a major necessity of life, the success of any government and the survival of her citizens and their posterity, will depend, to a large measure, on how much commitment they make to evolving and sustaining a realistic food programme that will guarantee food sufficiency and real independence.
We urge the Federal Government, state governments and other stakeholders to swiftly get back to the drawing board and face up to this challenge. The place to start is the farms. Oil money is useless when there is no food to import, and starvation is a major political tool that brings nations on their knees. It hardly fails.
We recall Federal government's failed attempts at fashioning out what seemed laudable, sustainable projects on food and agriculture. One of these was the Operation Feed the Nation (OFN) of the Military regime of Olusegun Obasanjo in the late 70s. This was followed by the Green Revolution of the Second Republic under the presidency of Shehu Usman Shagari between 1979 and 1983. Then came the Directorate of Foods, Roads and Rural Infrastructure (DFRRI) of the Military regime of Ibrahim Babangida in the mid 80s. Not much is known of any attempts by the last civilian administration of Olusegun Obasanjo (1999 -2007) to consolidate on any of the preceding food projects. All those are now history. The problem they were meant to solve is now here.
The way government and its agencies the world over, Nigeria inclusive, deal with the food crisis could mean the difference between life and death for millions of people, especially the poor. It could also mean the difference between stability and upheaval, war and peace. History is replete with examples of such consequences.
Unlike in the past when the United Nations and charitable countries gave food handouts to countries ravaged by drought, war and other disasters, there may be little handouts this time. This is because of the global nature of the problem. This means that many countries of the world will have to resolve the problem by themselves. Indications to this effect are already beginning to manifest.
Major rice-producing countries are placing restrictions on rice exports, recognising that their first responsibility is to feed their own people. Rice is the staple food of half of the world's 6.6 billion people. The Vietnam Food Association has asked members to stop signing rice export contracts through June. China has placed a five percent levy on exports since January. Likewise, Egypt has banned rice shipments through October. The Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) has indicated that global demand for cereals will expand by 2.6 percent this year. This is 1.6 percent above the ten-year average, Millions more of the world's most vulnerable people are facing starvation as food shortages loom and crop prices continue to rise. For the first time in recent history, the impact is spreading from developing nations to the developed world.
How is the Nigerian government facing up to this looming crisis? The Federal Government in the usual panic measure has set apart N80 billion for the importation of rice. This, it said it was doing with a view to flooding the market with rice and forcing down the already spiraling prices so that the commodity would be within the reach of the generality of Nigerians. Some concerned Nigerian have criticised this move as coming rather late. They also wonder from where government will get this vast import, as the major producers have placed restrictions on exports.
The Food crisis is not just about rice. It is about inadequate foods and potable water, which exist side by side with hapless nations and their citizens averse to growing their own food. Enlightened and properly structured governments across the world have anticipated this food crisis well ahead of time and taken measures to cushion the impact.
At present, the Federal government's pronouncement on rice imports betrays its officials as not being quite knowledgeable about the real issues and how monumental the consequences are.
Since food is a major necessity of life, the success of any government and the survival of her citizens and their posterity, will depend, to a large measure, on how much commitment they make to evolving and sustaining a realistic food programme that will guarantee food sufficiency and real independence.
We urge the Federal Government, state governments and other stakeholders to swiftly get back to the drawing board and face up to this challenge. The place to start is the farms. Oil money is useless when there is no food to import, and starvation is a major political tool that brings nations on their knees. It hardly fails.
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