Climate change is forcing lifestyle and cultural changes in dimensions never envisaged, as scarcity of food is now making Nigerians stingy and no longer eager to share edibles with their neighbours. Dr. Tunde Arosanyin, a member of the National Stakeholders Committee of All Farmers Association of Nigeria, AFAN, made the observation.
“Nigeria is no longer food secured, a development that has led to stinginess. We’re gradually losing our identity as a people as we are no longer eager to share food with our neighbors.” He said.
The nutritionist was speaking at a training and empowerment program he organised for farmers in Yagba Federal constitency, Kogi State. The initiative is part of activities to mark World Food Day, 2024.
The program, which started on Wednesday through Friday, commenced in Ejiba in Yagba West, then moved to Isanlu in Yagba East and closed on Friday in Mopa, Mopamuro Council areas of the district.
At the training, different facilitators enlightened the farmers on the effects of climate change on farming activities in the area.
Arosanyin took the farmers on the importance of food security, stressing that Nigeria at present is no longer food secured. Speaking on the theme for 2024: “Right to Food for a better Life and a better Future.” Arosanyin stressed that food security is important in ensuring a healthy and prosperous future for all.
He urged officials and policymakers to prioritize access to nutritious food for all, particularly the most vulnerable populations.
“The world faces increasing challenges with food shortages and malnutrition. This program is to reawaken our consciousness and serves as a reminder of the critical need to address these issues for a better tomorrow.”
Arosanyin, who said Nigeria is endowed with a land mass of over 900 square Km, wondered why only 48% of the arable part of the land are cultivated.
“We keep shouting of hunger, yet we refused to cultivate our arable lands. What happened to the over 50 per cent of our arable land that are left uncultivated.”
Arosanyin, while urging farmers to look into the potential in their area and harness it to make the area food secured, noted that Nigeria is gradually becoming overpopulated, “and that is also affecting food security, especially in rural Nigeria.”
Highlights of the program were presentation of fertilizers and transport fares for over 100 farmers that attended across the three venues.
Arosanyin said he personally put up the program to support two House of Representative members, Hon. Leke Abejide (Yagba Federal constitency), Hon. Abiodun Faleke (Ikeja).
