Nigeria - Stage 2
Major focus
The Exploratory Dialogue in the South South took an in-depth analysis into the nutrition situation, challenges of the food systems and made critical recommendations to government on how to address the identified challenges. The tracks were discussed in the context of the zone and from the outcome of the discussions areas of interrelationship came out clearly. Cross cutting issues that will generally influence actions on all the tracks were identified as funding, provision of farming inputs, improving processing and preservation method of farm produce, research, innovations, women empowerment,
... Read moreprovision of rural infrastructure, channelling the energy of the youth to farm work, improving security of the area etc. Food production and consumption in the zone is based mainly on staples. Ignorance on the right food choices, poor purchasing power affects what people eat. People tend to consume more of what is available rather than on what the body needs. Transportation of farm produce out of the farm to areas where they are needed and where farmers would have value for their labour by selling at a profitable price was identified as a major issue in the region. A lot of food wastage occurs due to the perishability of farm produce, lack of preservation facilities and non-availability of off-takers in the area. The issue of food contamination was also highlighted. Farmers and food handlers still use traditional methods, dangerous chemicals on food to enhance colour and increase shelve life. Farmers are faced with limited access to production inputs, agrochemicals, livestock seeds and extension services, land degradation, conflict and banditry. The impact of COVID – 19 pandemics which resulted in restriction in vehicular and human movement at the wake of the pandemic affected agricultural production resulting in very poor harvest, reduced income, limited access to farmland, shortage of labour for farming and harvesting of plant due to be harvested. Climate change has also affected food production. Excessive dry weather at certain times of the year, flooding and erosion in coastal areas has led to soil degradation, reduced yield of farm produce. The effect of this poor yield is quite discouraging to up-coming young farmers whom might not have the emotional dexterity and resources to continue farming after some terrible losses1q. Weak institutional systems hamper effective implementation of government policies. (The need to establish independent monitoring and evaluation structures of government policies, actions and implementations/deliverables) was recommended. Government incentives (loan, grants, farm input) to farmers most times end up in the hands of non- farmers who will not use the incentive to improve agriculture Read less
Action Track(s): 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
Keywords: Data & Evidence, Environment and Climate, Finance, Governance, Human rights, Innovation, Policy, Trade-offs, Women & Youth Empowerment