Stakeholders in agriculture have lamented the impact of flooding on the sector, disclosing that it will have adverse effects on the nation’s food security which may lead to food shortages as some farmers are currently counting their losses, while some have even lost their lives.
They called for urgent support from the government for the affected farmers and affected communities, stating that apart from washing away thousands of hectares of farmland, the floods have blocked roads and impeded the movement and delivery of food products across the country.
The National President, All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), Arch. Ibrahim Kabir, noted that the already dire situation of high prices of food items is exacerbated by the incessant flooding, as large plantations of rice and many other crops are being completely washed away in some cases.
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Also speaking was the Chairman of Lagos Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Agric and Agro Allied Group, Edobong Akpabio, who expressed concern that the flood will result in food scarcity and increase the rate of hunger and poverty, explaining that the hike in demand and low supply will result in an increase in the prices of basic food products.
Former Executive Director of Lake Chad Research Institute (LCRI), Dr. Oluwasina Olabanji, disclosed that the flooding is part of adverse effect of climate change, while calling on Nigeria government to start promoting climate resilient agriculture to prevent reoccurrence of such.
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The former Executive Director of Lake Chad Research Institute (LCRI), Dr. Oluwasina Olabanji, called on the Nigerian government to start promoting climate resilient agriculture to prevent a reoccurrence of such a situation that has adversely affected agricultural production.
“Land preparation is supposed to have started by the middle of this month and to end by the first week of November to enable planting to commence by the middle of November. Therefore, with the present scenario, this may be difficult to achieve. Olabanji said
