AN ASSESSMENT OF STRATEGIES FOR INCREASING FOOD PRODUCTION AND FOOD SECURITY IN NIGERIA

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background of the study

An enhanced agricultural sector is a crucial factor in the pursuit of economic development and inclusive economic growth in any developing economy (Akpabio, 2023). It guarantees the availability of food, encourages the development of industries, generates employment opportunities, enhances the ability to withstand external threats, and promotes collective economic well-being. A country's industrialization is contingent upon the prior modernization of its agricultural sector (Ini et al., 2023).  It plays a crucial role in promoting economic growth in sectors other than agriculture. According to Akpabio (2023), each dollar of extra value created in agriculture leads to an additional 30-80 cents in revenue gains in other sectors of the economy. 

According to Emem et al. (2023), the impact of agriculture sector growth on poverty reduction is expected to be at least 2 to 4 times greater than in any other sector.  Many countries that have attained high wealth status initially relied on agriculture. China experienced a significant increase in its GDP per capita from $155 to $8,123 between 1978 and 2016, primarily as a result of agricultural revolution (Justin, 2023). Brazil and Vietnam both had a twofold increase in the value of their agriculture sector over a span of 20 years after initiating their transformation. Similarly, Ethiopia and Rwanda achieved a 33% reduction in poverty since 2000, mostly driven by an annual agricultural GDP growth of nearly 10% (Chukwudi et al., 2022).

Widespread poverty is a significant issue in numerous developing nations worldwide, Nigeria being one of them. It is characterised as a pernicious cycle that leads to hunger and malnutrition, and is exacerbated by rapid population expansion (Bode, 2019). Poverty has been attributed to factors such as food insecurity, unfavourable development of international programmes, global economic downturn, load of foreign debt, and a sequence of economic changes (Okuneye, 2021). Nigeria is presently experiencing a food crisis, wherein the population, particularly the impoverished, has restricted access to sufficient quantities and quality of food. 

Food security is a measure of the stability and accessibility of the food supply. These factors, in turn, impact the quantity of food ingested and have consequences for the well-being of individuals (Akin, 2020). Food insecurity can be mitigated by the implementation of sustainable agriculture. Sustainable agriculture refers to an agricultural system that is specifically designed for a given region, ensuring that crop and animal products do not diminish over time and remain relatively steady despite natural weather variations (Totti, 2023). According to Ini eta al., (2023), there was a decrease in food production from 1970 to 1998. This decline was attributed to the oil boom era, during which many workers left agricultural jobs. As a result, there was an increase in the importation of food and a migration of people from rural areas to urban areas (Ogunyemi, 2017).

At present, the rate at which the population is increasing has surpassed the rate at which agricultural productivity is growing (Okunola, 2021). Consequently, the nation is grappling with a state of insufficient access to food, sometimes known as food insecurity. Prior to the oil boom in the 1970s, Nigeria played a significant role in the production of many food crops, including cassava and beans, as well as cash commodities like cocoa and palm oil. The cultivation of food crops such as roots, tubers, and vegetables is mainly concentrated in the rainforest zone in the south, while grains and cereals are primarily cultivated in the savannah zone in the north (Ogunyemi, 2017). The southern region predominantly cultivates traditional root and tuber crops, such as cassava, yam, cocoyam, and sweet potatoes. Maize, sorghum, millet, and rice are frequently cultivated in the northern region. The southern region cultivates oil seeds such as oil palm, groundnut, sheabutter, sunflower seed, copra, and sesame, as well as fruits like plantain, banana, mango, and orange. Vegetables such as eggplant, tomatoes, okra, onion, and chilli pepper are prevalent in northern Nigeria. Grain legumes, such as soybeans, pigeon peas, lima beans, and peanuts, are cultivated in diverse regions of the country. Both marine and freshwater sources are utilised to generate meat and fish (Akpabio, 2023: Ini, 2023). Presently, Nigeria's economic structure is predominantly oriented towards consumption rather than production, which has significantly exacerbated issues of food insecurity and poverty inside the country. The Nigerian agriculturists' failure to adequately supply food to meet the growing population's needs has led to food shortages, undernourishment, malnutrition, starvation, hunger, and poor health.

Nigeria's population stands at over 200 million individuals, making it the largest in Africa and accounting for 47 percent of the overall population of West Africa (Sanusi et al., 2018). The demand for food in Nigeria has continually exceeded both food production and overall supply. The annual food production growth rate of 2.5 percent is inadequate to keep up with the yearly population growth rate of 2.8 percent (Abiodun, 2022). Although Nigeria possesses considerable agricultural potential and abundant natural resources, various indicators of economic prosperity remain at a markedly low level. Food insecurity and poverty remain widespread in several sections of the country. The food insecurity situation in Nigeria is worsening as a result of the substantial discrepancy between the country's food supply and demand. For example, the percentage of households facing food insecurity rose from 40% in 2005 to over 65% in 2019 (Smith et al., 2021). The prevalence of food insecurity is widespread among Nigerians, encompassing both urban and rural people, while the rural areas have a higher incidence of food insecurity (Oni, 2023). As a result, Nigerian governments are strongly dedicated to giving priority to reducing the number of homes who do not have enough food. This study aims to evaluate the methods used to enhance food production and ensure food security in Nigeria.

1.2 Statement of the Problem

Nigeria, the country with the highest population in Africa, encounters notable food security obstacles despite its plentiful natural resources and considerable agricultural capacity. Ensuring reliable and ample access to food that is both safe and nutritious continues to be a pressing concern, made worse by a predicted population growth of over 400 million by 2050. Nigeria's heterogeneous climate and arable land render it very suitable for cultivating a wide range of crops and rearing cattle. Notable agricultural commodities comprise cassava, yams, maize, rice, sorghum, cocoa, palm oil, and rubber. However, there are other obstacles that hinder agricultural productivity and contribute to the problem of food insecurity.

The absence of suitable technology for processing, packing, and storage is a significant factor that contributes to food insecurity in Nigeria (Yakubu et al., 2022). A significant portion of Nigeria's food harvest is wasted due to rotting and infection during transportation to the consumer. According to Marcus (2022), losses are present in every stage of operations, including harvesting, handling, storage, processing, and marketing. In his study, Marcus (2022) emphasises the importance of conducting a comprehensive evaluation of postharvest technologies. This evaluation should take into account the full postharvest chain and utilise loss assessment as a means of gaining insight into the timing, location, and causes of losses. Appropriate technologies are essential for the efficient processing of food in rural areas of developing nations (Anietie, 2021). Occasionally, traditional methods can be improved to extend the storage time and improve the popularity of native foods. This can also be beneficial in creating enhanced items that have the potential to be exported.

In addition, Nyong (2018) observes that climate change has caused changes in the natural environment, such as drought, changes in rainfall patterns, fluctuations in temperature, and the occurrence of floods or the depletion of water bodies. These changes have forced northern pastoralists to migrate southward into areas that were traditionally inhabited by sedentary farmers. The Nomadic Fulani herders are compelled to migrate towards the southern areas when their grazing ground undergoes desertification as a result of climate change. Tokunbo (2017) asserts that the migration of Fulani ranchers from their native territory to the northern Guinea savanna and the edge of the humid tropical forest is predominantly driven by climate change. This phenomenon has resulted in deteriorating environmental circumstances, land degradation, and recurrent droughts. The climatic swings in their position compelled the pastoralists to relocate to the more humid region, resulting in the interaction between the crop farmers and the pastoralists. Fluctuations in climatic conditions directly impact the availability of natural resources. These causes, along with population growth, insufficient governance, and property ownership problems, lead to increased competition for scarce natural resources, especially fertile land and water. As a result, there is a surge in tensions and violence between rural populations in Nigeria and Fulani herdsmen (Obot, 2023). This has worsened the problem of food insecurity for rural inhabitants in Nigeria, as well as the country as a whole.

Furthermore, a lack of infrastructure is an additional detriment to food security in Nigeria. Olayiwola (2020) argues that the progress of infrastructure in rural areas is closely linked to the advancement of agriculture. Improving feeder roads will facilitate the delivery of goods from rural areas and the transportation of resources to those areas. Specific agricultural companies are particularly suitable for on-farm storage facilities. Storage structures specifically tailored for utilisation in rural areas should be meticulously built and brought into the commercial market (Olumide, 2021).

Objectives of the study

The primary objective of this study is to critically assess the strategies for increasing food production and food security in Nigeria. Specific objectives of this study are to:

To determine whether public-private partnerships can enhance food production and security in Nigeria.

To determine whether adequate funding of the agricultural sector can improve food production and security in Nigeria.

To determine whether the resolving of insecurity and the improvement of infrastructural facilities can enhance food production and security in Nigeria.

To determine whether the adoption of ICT tools can enhance food production and security in Nigeria.

1.4 Research Questions

The following research questions which are in line with the objectives of this study will be answered in this study:

Will public-private partnerships enhance food production and security in Nigeria?

Will adequate funding of the agricultural sector can improve food production and security in Nigeria?

Will the resolving of insecurity and the improvement of infrastructural facilities can enhance food production and security in Nigeria?

Will the adoption of ICT tools can enhance food production and security in Nigeria?

1.5 Significance of the study

This study is significant as it provides a comprehensive analysis of the strategies which can be employed to tackle food insecurity in Nigeria. Apparently, the findings will be valuable to policymakers, development agencies, and stakeholders in the agricultural sector, ultimately aiming to ensure that all Nigerians have access to sufficient, safe, and nutritious food.

Thorough the assessment of current strategies, the study will provide evidence-based recommendations for policymakers. This can help in refining existing policies and formulating new ones to effectively tackle food insecurity.

The agriculture sector will also benefit from this study. Insights from the study can encourage the adoption of modern farming techniques, better resource management, and technological innovations in agriculture. The study analyzes current agricultural practices and their effectiveness, offering suggestions for adopting more productive and sustainable methods. This can lead to increased agricultural yields and reduced post-harvest losses.

Moreover, the study aims to improve the standard of living for Nigerians. The study aims to mitigate poverty by identifying and addressing the socio-economic factors that contribute to food scarcity. The outcome of this study will additionally contribute to the improvement of social stability by mitigating the likelihood of disputes and social upheaval stemming from food scarcity. 

Furthermore, future scholars will utilize it as a literature review. Consequently, other students interested in researching this field will be able to utilize this work as existing material that can be critically evaluated. Without exception, the outcome of the study greatly enhances the existing academic understanding 

1.7 Scope of the study

Broadly, this study focuses to critically assess the strategies for increasing food production and food security in Nigeria. Geographically, this study will be conducted in Abuja, as the respondents will be obtained from Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Abuja.

1.8 Limitations of the study

Like in any human undertaking, the researchers encountered small constraints during the investigation. The researcher's main limitation was the linguistic barrier. The majority of inhabitants in rural communities lack comprehension of the English language. There was a lack of contact between the rural inhabitants and the researcher. 

Another constraint was the scarcity of considerable literature on the subject, as there is a limited amount of data available for an assessment of strategies for increasing food production and food security in Nigeria. Therefore, a substantial investment of time and effort was required to find the suitable materials, books, or information and collect data. Furthermore, this study is limited by its limited sample size and restricted geographical reach, namely concentrating just on Nigeria. Hence, the findings of this study cannot be extrapolated, thereby necessitating additional research. 

Additionally, the researcher's limitations were primarily due to financial constraints, as they are a student and do not have a source of income to sustain themselves. It was challenging to afford transportation expenses to and from the study location due to the high cost of transportation, which is influenced by inflation in Nigeria today.

In addition, the researcher encountered a time limitation as a result of the necessity to do this research while simultaneously completing the responsibilities of attending lectures and engaging in other educational pursuits.

1.9 Definition of terms

Food security: Food security is when a person is able to obtain a sufficient amount of healthy food on a day-to-day basis.

Food scarcity: food scarcity refers to the shortage of food supplies to meet the dietary needs of a population.

Malnutrition: Malnutrition is a medical condition that occurs when a person's nutrition is either insufficient or excessive, leading to harmful effects.

Food production: Food production is considered as the process of transforming raw materials into edible food products. This can be done directly at home or commercially at industries. The process of food production involves various stages and each stage is important