The Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) has estimated a loss of 855,629 metric tonnes of food to the 2024 floods.
This figure according to the FAO represents an amount equivalent to feed 8.5 million Nigerians for the period of six-months.
FAO assistant country representative, Salisu Mohammed at an event to mark the 2024 World Food Day in Abuja yesterday, outlined climate-related crises, inflation, insecurity and economic situation as the key factors that have taken a toll on agricultural productivity and farmers’ livelihoods.
The theme of this year, “The Right to Foods for a better life and future” with a call for governments and private individuals to recognise the hardship and empathise with vulnerable populations who face unique challenges in accessing adequate and nutritious food.
While the FAO acknowledged the federal government drive towards food security, the organisation warned that these food adversities could persist unless the country worked with stakeholders to address the challenges.
Meanwhile, the federal government has hinted at a plan to step-up wheat production to 750, 000 metric tonnes in the upcoming 2024 dry-season farming. The target surpassed the 500,000 metric tonnes of wheat earmarked for the 2023-2024 dry-season farming.
