by AS Nigerians deeply agonize about excruciating hunger sapping their health and families, Civil Society Organizations, CSOs, Monday, expressed mixed reactions on the announcement of distribution of bags of rice by the Federal Government to the 36 States and the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Abuja with each receiving 20 trucks containing 1,200 bags of 25kg rice, as announced by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris.
The Country Director, ActionAid Nigeria, AAN, Andrew Mamedu, said the 740 trucks of rice for distribution across the country will unlikely reduce the biting hunger hitting Nigerians.
Mamedu said: “While the distribution of 740 trucks of rice may provide temporary relief to some vulnerable individuals, it is unlikely to significantly reduce hunger in the land. The amount of rice distributed (1,200 bags of 25kg per truck) may not be sufficient to address the widespread hunger and food insecurity in Nigeria, particularly considering the country’s large population and the severity of the food crisis.
“This kind of gesture will at best serve as palliative. Secondly the structure of using politicians will most likely further affect the quantity that gets to the poor and be used for political settlement. It would have been proper to use existing citizen group structures that are reliable.
He also advised the Federal Government on what could be sustainable way to reduce the current hunger and high food prices.
“While is short term measure will put some food stuff into circulation and may affect the price of rice in the short run, I advise the government to tackle the root causes of hunger and high food prices. This includes: Investing in sustainable agriculture, including supporting small-scale farmers, especially women, with resources, credit, and technology to improve their productivity and resilience.
“Implementing policies that address poverty, inequality, and unemployment, such as social protection programs, job creation initiatives, and education and skills development.
“Strengthening food storage and distribution infrastructure to reduce post-harvest losses and ensure that surplus food reaches those who need it most.
“Promoting sustainable food systems, including agroecology and organic farming practices, to improve soil fertility, biodiversity, and ecosystem services.
“Deal with obstacles that affect farmers, such as insecurity and inadequate agricultural seedlings and materials for farmers.”
However, he (Mamedu) asserted that the federal government cannot sustain this distribution of rice across the country.
“It is unlikely that the federal government can sustain this distribution of rice, as it may be a one-off gesture. To ensure food security, the government needs to prioritize long-term solutions, such as: Developing a comprehensive national food security strategy that addresses the root causes of hunger and food insecurity.
“Allocating sufficient budgetary resources to support sustainable agriculture, social protection programs, and food storage and distribution infrastructure.
“Building partnerships with civil society organizations, the private sector, and international development agencies to leverage resources, expertise, and funding.
“Deal with insecurity in our communities, that prevents farmers from going to their farms.”, he said.
Meanwhile, according to the AAN Country Director him, “Unfortunately, the government’s approach does not address the underlying issues driving hunger and food insecurity.
“To get it right, the government needs to adopt a more comprehensive and sustainable strategy that: Prioritizes the needs of the most vulnerable, including women, children, and marginalized communities.
“Supports local food systems, including small-scale farmers and informal traders, to ensure that food is available, accessible, and affordable.
“Addresses the root causes of poverty and inequality, including unequal access to resources, credit, and markets.
“Promotes sustainable agriculture practices, reduces reliance on imported food, and supports climate-resilient agriculture.”
A mudu of rice can’t stop hunger in families – SWOFON
The National President, Smallholder Women Farmers organizations in Nigeria, SWOFON, Fatima Gunmi, said a module measurement of rice cannot stop hunger in families rather Government should turn in the money used in importing rice to boost farmers productivity.
Gunmi said: “There was a lot of times with this issue of palliatives, that they have sent a lot of things to be given to people as palliatives.
“We have information that not up to 50 per cent of citizens of this country have got what they supposed to get and how much were people getting? People got just a measure, and majority just got measure of either maize or millet but not rice.
“How can you say you are reducing hunger by giving people a measure. Some families can exhaust it in a day and after that day that is the end. So how can you say you are reducing hunger?
“The distribution really is not going to the right people. Don’t give people fish but teach them how to fish, and that is better.
“Giving this people this food and they exhaust it in a day or two, then what happens, how can they sustain themselves? No jobs, difficulties in starting a business and the civil service also is corrupt because of ghost workers they are using to block real employment.
“There is information that senators are distributing fertilizers and other farm inputs but nothing gets to the farmers. We don’t receive anything from the federal and state governments.
“Why should government decide recently to import rice and others into the country? Why can’t they use that money they are using to import this rice to boost farmers’ productivity? Are those farmers better than us, what they are producing can’t we produce same here in Nigeria?
“We should focus on local production and not to import rice that those countries have, and Government should borrow a leave from those countries to boost food production in our country.”
FG’s rice distribution pattern’s to enrich govt contractors, politicians
The Executive Director, Renevlyn Development Initiative, Philip Jakpor, who was skeptical about the distribution pattern of rice to the 36 States and the FCT to reduce hunger in the land asserted that the pattern of distribution of rice by the Federal Government will only result to enrichment of government contractors and politicians.
Jakpor said: “If we are to go by previous examples including the way COVID-19 food were hoarded while people hungered, this pattern of distribution of rice will only result to enrichment of government contractors and politicians who will divert them or keep them away for themselves. Ad hoc interventions to addressing hunger should be strategic and targeted.
“Our politicians and those charged with distribution of palliatives have not lived up to their bidding hence this is another jamboree for them. It will not address hunger in the short term.
“This disbursement of rice is crude and embarrassing. It is unsustainable. “I think for this government what we are seeing a trial and error.”
However, he counselled the federal government on salient approaches that would sustainably address the challenges in the agricultural sector.
“We have to look at addressing hunger in the immediate, intermediate and long term. In the immediate government should address the insecurity in the farming communities especially in the north. Many farmers are afraid of going to the farms. Terrorism labelled as banditry has made it impossible for farmers to plant and harvest crops.
“In the intermediate government should address the insecurity and access to the farming communities, many of which have no roads or electricity.
“There should also be farm-gate processing to save farm produce that may not get to the markets quickly. In the long term, again government intervention should target insecurity, farmer’s accessibility to loans and insurance of their risks, and removal of bottlenecks to moving food from the farm to the markets in town.
“Farmers should get adequate incentives to improve their farm business and unhindered access to markets”, he said.
Rice distribution to reduce hunger welcomed devt – GSG
In another reaction, the Director General, DG, Grassroots Solidarity Group, GSG, Comrade Ebriku John Friday, commended the Federal Government on the distribution of rice to vulnerable Nigerians describing it as a welcomed development.
Friday said: “It will mitigate the challenge of hunger a bit at least for those who will benefit, if mechanisms are in place for equitable distribution.
“We commend the government for the efforts, it is better late than never.” However, he said “On my advice, Governments at all levels must deploy all of its humanitarian establishments to consistently reach out to the poorest of the poor to ease their sufferings.
“Also the government should put up a policy that will encourage farming across the country and guarantee the security of farmers in the face of the current insecurity.
“The Federal Government has the capacity to sustain the new efforts of rice distribution. It should also seek and mobilise the help of humanitarian nationals to join in curbing hunger in the country.
“The decision on the rice distribution to curb hunger is on track and the government should be encouraged to do more in a transparent manner and put checks in place to avoid diversion and distortion of the programme.”
Vulnerable Nigerians need variety of foods, not just rice – Jet FarmsNG
The Chief Farmer of Africa and Chief Executive Officer, Jet FarmsNG, Jerry Tobi, pointed out that vulnerable Nigerians do not need rice only to sustain themselves amidst excruciating hunger but a variety of foodstuff, while the intervention is coming too late.
Tobi said: “The government’s intervention at this point, with food inflation nearing 40%, might be seen as too late. While distributing rice could alleviate hunger to some extent, it is insufficient on its own. Vulnerable populations need a variety of foods, not just rice.
“To make a more significant impact, state and local governments should complement the rice distribution with other food supplements.
“The only way to know if hunger will reduce is to see the data from the coming weeks will show the actual effectiveness of this initiative.
“We also need to understand the root cause of the current hunger crisis is the previous administration’s mismanagement of national food security, leading to low production and supply amidst a growing population.”
He also added that, “Without substantial support for food production, the present administration risks continuing this trend.
“It is often said that a person who wants to build a house first counts the cost, and failing to plan is planning to fail. Good policies and structures on paper are not enough; effective planning and policy implementation are crucial.
“We need to understand why food prices are high in the first place. Many smallholder farmers, about 30 per cent of the 40 million smallholder farmers, have stopped farming since 2020 due to insecurity.
“Additionally, poor infrastructure, such as irrigation, rural roads, and storage facilities exacerbate the problem.”
In his counsel, the Jet FarmsNG boss, said, “To address the issue in the short term, the government should purchase crops at harvest, store them in government facilities, and sell them at subsidized prices to processing plants.
“Promoting mechanization for dry-season farming and setting production targets in collaboration with States through Public Private Partnerships, PPP, can enhance food security.
“Additionally, all Federal Universities with substantial land resources should be utilized, with specific production targets assigned to their Vice-Chancellors for crops advantageous to their State.
“Long-term solutions should include adopting new technologies like hydroponics and vertical farming in states with limited land. Setting targeted production goals for states based on their comparative advantages and continuous investment in agricultural research and development are crucial.
“This comprehensive approach will address immediate needs and ensure sustainable food security in the future.”
- Can the federal government sustain this distribution of rice?
However, he pointed out that, “Sustaining the rice distribution programme may not be feasible in the long run. An old African adage says, “Don’t just give a man fish; teach him how to catch his own fish.”
Instead of continuing with such palliatives, the government should focus on empowering people to produce their own food.
“Initiatives like massive land clearing for cluster farming, as seen in States like Niger and Ekiti, and supporting farmers with mechanization subsidies and technology are more sustainable approaches.
“Supporting communities to produce enough rice and other crops will have a more lasting impact.”
On whether government is getting it ready he (Tobi) asserted that, “Currently, it appears the government is not on the right track.
“The Ministry of Agriculture needs a more robust strategy to ensure food security. The minister should engage more with the field, moving beyond political discussions to practical actions.
“There must be strong collaboration with dedicated states to boost food production significantly. Without substantial efforts before the end of 2024, the UNFAO’s dire predictions may become a reality.
“The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the World Food Programme (WFP) warn that acute food insecurity is likely to deteriorate further in 18 hunger hotspots, which Nigeria is part of.”
