With commitment, hunger can be chased away from Nigeria, says Othman

The former Executive Director, National Agricultural Extension Research and Liaison Services (NAERLS), Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Kaduna State, Prof Khalid Othman, has lamented the food crisis ravaging Nigeria, saying it is highly infuriating and frustrating that hunger is destroying the country.He said with a high level of seriousness, the country can drive down the cost of rice to N40, 000 and below in eight months.

“Likewise, the prices of other food items can come down and chase hunger out of Nigeria. The country should have no business with hunger.

“Our short-term strategy for bringing down the prices of agricultural commodities must first address our weaknesses and threats to enable an astronomic increase in agricultural productivity. The potential yield of eight to 12 tonnes per hectare for cereal crops is far higher than the national average yield of 1.2 tons per hectare.

“For example, the national average yields of maize and rice are 1.64 tons per hectare and 2.0 tons per hectare, respectively, against the potential yields of 10 tons per hectare and 12 tons per hectare. Even cassava, the crop for which Nigeria has a reputation for being the leading country in the world in terms of production, has an average yield of 13 tons per hectare against the potential yield of 60 tons per hectare. Inadequate or inaccessible improved production technologies, improved seeds, practices, suitable equipment, inadequate infrastructures, and skill are the causes of this low productivity.

“So, the short-term must involve massive deployment of enhanced production, technologies, good agronomic practices, capacity building of farmers and extension workers, access to improved inputs, mechanisation, and credit facilities. Another critical component of the short-term strategy is addressing banditry and insurgency.”