Why Africa’s Food Crisis is Worrisome
– A Curious Case of Nigeria’s Rising Food Prices
Ever wondered why food prices are on the increase? All over Africa, it has been reported that food is fast becoming a luxury item. According to the United Nations, 46 million people in Africa experienced hunger in the aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic. But is COVID-19 to blame for a challenge that’s been a long time coming?
In Nigeria, the Red Cross Society reported that 24.5 million people do not have enough to eat. Across the continent, hunger is contributing to almost half of children’s deaths.
Why is Nigeria’s food crisis worsening? You can blame it on the annual flooding. When reports about the floods in 2022 surfaced, analysts predicted that the floods could have a lasting effect on the food economy if efforts are not made to build resilient systems for food crops preservation.
That year, the floods claimed more than 600 lives, injured 2,400 more, and left almost 1.4million people displaced. To add to the woes, 123,800 homes were destroyed while no fewer than 569,000 hectares of farmland and roads were affected. Reportedly, the floods cost the agricultural sector in Nigeria about $2 billion in damages.
Aside from the floods, rising temperature has contributed largely to the prevailing drought and land degradation. Many Nigerians have reported heat waves across the country. Not much media attention is focused on the impact of this heat wave on the food economy.
To secure food, farmers need to be taught modern and best practices. There should be agricultural hubs to enhance productivity, and storage facilities to reduce food waste need to be created.
Price control system should also be in place to regulate the highhandedness of food sellers who capitalise on the economic challenges to increase food prices.
