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Nigeria: World Leaders Tackle Hunger As Mass Poverty Peaks

Chioma Umeha

15 November 2009

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Less than 24 hours, heads of state and government will reach a consensus on how to stamp out the ugly world monster-hunger-when they converge for the World Summit on Food Security under the directive of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations .

FAO Director-General Jacques Diouf also wants them to agree to increase agriculture's share of official development assistance to 17 per cent, the level it was in 1980, from the current five per cent.

This is not the first time the world body and governments will congregate to agree on the elimination of hydra-headed world ogre. In 1996, 180 nations met at the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) for the World Food Summit (WFS) to discuss ways to end hunger. Nations pledged to eradicate hunger and committed to reduce by half the number of undernourished people in the world by 2015. This was seen as a first step towards the goal of food for all.

But this target has not been met. This explains why many analysts view the agenda of the impending summit as an impossible mission. In October 2000, a report by FAO said that unless extra efforts are made to accelerate progress, it will not be achieved before 2030. The world body estimated that the number of hungry people could increase by a further 100 million in 2009 and pass the one billion mark.

At a time when the global economic crisis dominates the news, the world needs to be reminded that not everyone works in offices and factories. The crisis is stalking the small-scale farms and rural areas of the world, where 70 per cent of the world's hungry live and work.

This was contained in a report published prior to the World Food Day last month, by two United Nations agencies- the food and agricultural organization and the World Food Programme which stated that a combination of the food crisis and the global economic downturn has pushed more than 1 billion people into hunger in 2009.

According to the report titled, "FAO's Annual Hunger Report and The state of Food insecurity," the combination of food and economic crises had pushed the number of hungry people worldwide to historic levels with 1.02 billion people worldwide undernourished."

With the increase of 105 million hungry people this year, there are now 1.02 billion malnourished people in the world, three quarters of them live in rural areas meaning that almost one sixth of all humanity is suffering from hunger.

This is more than ever before. Despite the fact that the world produces 125 per cent of the required food for all, 15 per cent of people are hungry; and most of them are women and children. Global agriculture production today fails to feed the world's poorest people since they lack access to income and resources such as fertile land, water, seeds and knowledge for a farming system adapted to local conditions and the demands of markets. The green revolution accomplished a lot but failed to combat hunger. It focused only on technology and relied on huge quantities of climate damaging inputs such as agro-chemicals.

The November summit will discuss putting into place a more coherent and effective system of food security, including rules and mechanisms to ensure adequate incomes for farmers, mobilizing investments into agricultural infrastructure and access to inputs, and a mechanism for early reaction to food crises.

Diof describes the world food security governance system as inefficient and not well coordinated to address the present food crisis and the new challenges of the future. On World Food Day in October, he said rich donor countries, developing countries and assistance institutions all now have to focus on policies that will assist the 1.02 billion undernourished people in the world.

His words, "the silent hunger crisis - affecting one sixth of all of humanity - poses a serious risk for world peace and security. We urgently need to forge a broad consensus on the total and rapid eradication of hunger in the world."

In a message to the World Food Day celebrations, Pope Benedict XVI, who will be attending the November World Summit on Food Security, called for the "international community and its institutions to intervene in a more suitable and decisive manner." He said that access to food was a fundamental human right and that the "drama" of hunger could only be eliminated by "removing the structural causes" and by investing in agricultural development in poor countries.

The global food insecurity situation has worsened and continues to represent a serious threat for humanity. With food prices remaining stubbornly high in developing countries, the number of people suffering from hunger has been growing relentlessly in recent years. The global economic crisis is aggravating the situation by affecting jobs and deepening poverty.

According to FAO, poor countries need the development, economic and policy tools required to boost their agricultural production and productivity. Investment in agriculture must be increased because for the majority of poor countries a healthy agricultural sector is essential to overcome hunger and poverty and is a pre-requisite for overall economic growth. The gravity of the current food crisis is the result of 20 years of under-investment in agriculture and neglect of the sector. Directly or indirectly, agriculture provides the livelihood for 70 per cent of the world's poor.

Against this background, Nigerian government has taken measures to check overgrowing food prices and reinforce food supply for domestic market as the life of Nigerians is shadowed by the recent food crisis across the world. For instance, last year, the Federal Government's spent N80 billion to import 500,000 metric tones of rice into the country and a whopping N950 billion to boost food production through the Ministry of Agriculture and Water Resources, a step which many Nigerians perceived as half measures.

As a country highly depending on food imports, Nigeria suffered from rocketing prices of basic food items from the beginning of 2008. Many households in Nigeria have had to contend with rising cost of living. From cooking gas, kerosene to palm oil, pepper, tomatoes and onions, prices have continued to soar. Mostly affected by price increase is rice, a staple food in the country.

Early last year, the price of a bag of rice which was at N5, 700 was sold between N10, 000 and N12, 000 more than 100 per cent increase. Similarly, derica of rice, which hitherto sold for N100 was then pegged at between N180 and N200. Today, the difference in price is insignificant as the commodity, rice, still goes for between N150 and N200, depending on the specie. Last year, bean, which is the commonest source of protein, whose bag sold for N9, 000, rose astronomically to N16, 500, depending on the type. A derica was sold at N120, against the former price of N70. At present, the price has gone risen to N150. Similarly, the price of palm oil also rose and, to a large extent, encouraged adulteration of the commodity. Last year, a bottle of groundnut oil sold between N250 and N300 against N180. At the moment, the price remains the same.

Yam, which could have been a better alternative and could have helped cushion the effect of rice scarcity, was above reach of many persons. A small tuber that can barely feed three sold for between N350 and N700 in the market. Right now, the same size of yam goes for higher price, between N400 and N800.

Similarly, the price of a loaf of bread, another popular food in Nigeria, has also been on a geometric rise. A loaf of bread that sold for about N120 last year goes for N160 or more. Subsequent to this, the bakers' association is threatened to mark up the price. As a prelude to that, the association directed its members to close down their bakeries for a few days to achieve price increases. That was exactly their strategy previous year, when they created artificial scarcity before embarking on the price increase.

For traders, the situation has only further worsened businesses activities that have been at their lowest ebb, which is fallout of the economic downturn.

Yinka Otedola, a yam trader at Agboju market said prices of yam at major markets, such as Mile 2, have gone beyond the reach of the poor. She stated that they buy 100 tubers of yam at N50, 000 and are forced to sell a tuber for N700 or N800 after adding fares and other miscellaneous expenses.

"Yam merchants have become lords to themselves. They now call the shots and have become voracious because demand for yam has increased significantly. We have no choice but patronize them, we don't cultivate yam, neither are we ready to go out of business nor run at loss. Patronage has dropped, I must confess many people just walk away when they are told new prices", she bewailed.

At Iddo market in Lagos, another hub for food stuff, the traders also lamented low patronage. Queue of lorries and trucks, which is the brand name of the market, was also visibly absent. Traders attributed this to dearth experienced in the North and the rise in prices of seedlings and fertilizers.

Alhaji Yakubu Mohammed explained that as a result of poor harvest was there are scarce crops from the North for distribution to other zones in the country.

"Sometime ago, trucks often parked on both sides of the road ready to offload their consignments at Iddo market. Recently, you hardly find such traffic of trucks loaded with food stuff in the market," he said.

At markets, in Mushin, Idioro, Oshodi and Daleko, traders grumbled bitterly about soaring prices of food items including garri, semovita, meat, fish, condiments, and provisions. For instance, a bucket of garri which sold for N250 early this year now goes for N400 while the price of a bag which was between N2600 and N3000 depending on the type now sell between N4800 and N5000.

Though economic recession and the price rocketing of food is not peculiar to Nigeria, as China and other Asian countries that are known to be world producers of rice, are also hard hit. Economic analysts, view that Nigeria's over dependence on imported food and subsequent neglect of the country's vast agricultural potentialities have become an albatross.

According to Sam Ojebe, an economist, Nigerian leaders are not proactive in their strategies and implementation of policies and this has affected the economy and people adversely. He wondered why a country like Nigeria, blessed with the best weather in Africa, soil and arable crops, is complaining about hunger in the mid of plenty.

"The panacea to the problem is to re-direct funds into the agricultural sector and make the country the highest producer of food and cash crops. That was what earned Nigeria the name, giant of Africa in the past. We have all seen the negative effect of over dependence on imported food. There is no gain in neglecting a country's heritage. Agriculture is the only lifeline we have", he restated.

Ojebe's position is common among many Nigerians who bewailed their dilemma. Their words were laced with anger and animosity against the government and its leaders, who they believe are responsible for the agony they are passing through.

Musiliu Adams, a farmer, bemoaned the plight of the masses. He stated that the practice of journeying home every rainy season to plant maize has been discarded. The custom of travelling home has been shelved because the land is no longer fruitful; more so as prices of fertilizers are beyond the reach of peasant farmers. Fertilizers, which are supposed to be subsidized for farmers, have now become a jumbo spinning business enterprise for government officials.

Tafik Umar, a vulcanizer, was at loss when approached for his comments. The look on his face was that of a confused man. Quickly, he was jolted back to reality, gibberishes apologies and delved into tales of how the nations past leaders have succeeded in milking her dry, leaving the common man to suffer the consequences.

In smattering English he said "It is the common man that bears the brunt of their errors. Since morning, I have not eaten. Business is very dull. I hold President Yar'Adua responsible for the hunger that is ravaging this country. They know the root of the problem, but they are not ready to address it. Hunger is the result of bad governance. Everything happening now is the result of bad leadership. Our little income is spent on feeding. That is why crime rate is on the increase, when able bodied men, like me, cannot afford food and shelter for the family."

Angela Abel, a house wife and trader, regretted about the current situation and blamed the Federal Government for deliberately being adamant to the plight of Nigerians. She said that she has virtually removed garri from her family's menu because of its current price in the market.

"The thought of buying a cup of garri for N80, which is almost thrice the former price, is upsetting. Some months ago, one can comfortably feed five children with N500 and still have change. The government has failed us. Our leaders are responsible for this hardship. Imagine five litres of groundnut oil which formerly goes for N1, 100, now sells at N1, 300. These days, the thought of going to the market frightens me"

Miriam Akor, a banker, bemoaned the fate that has befallen most households in recent time. She said she was alarmed when she went to Alade market, Allen Avenue, Ikeja and could barely buy foodstuff with the money she had.

"I roamed about the market continuously under the scorching sun. At last, I bought few things after haggling and being called names by angry market women. Women feel the impact of food crisis more than men. The concern of most men is for their food to be served on time, not minding the trouble it takes," she said.

Prior to the wake of the global food crisis, federal government had released 40 million metric tones of grains from its reserve, to cushion the effect of hunger. Despite, additional importation of 500,000 metric tonnes of rice last year, by government from its strategic reserve, the global food crisis has continued to take its toll on Nigerians and pierce its fangs deeper into the savings of the low and medium-income earners. Greater percentage of their income, if not all, is now spent on food.

Previous administrations have made several attempts to cushion the effect of inflation, hardship and hunger among its citizenry. Road maps like: Vision 2000, 2010, 2015 and 2020 are projections used by the government to give hope to the citizens about its short, medium and long term measures to improve the welfare of her citizens. Hardly had any administration come on board without a virgin plan professionally packaged to ease the agonizing pains of the masses, although these plans which come with great expectations are found to be more active on paper than in implementation.

These include: Obasanjo's Universal Primary Education (UPE), Operation Feed the Nation (OFN). Gowon's Economic Reconstruction, Rehabilitation and Reintegration (3R's), Shagari's Green Revolution, Babangidia's Structural Adjustment Programme (SAP), Mass Mobilization for Self Reliance and Economic Recovery (MAMSER) and Directorate For Food, Road and Rural Infrastructure (DFFRI), Abacha's Vision 2000, Obasanjo's Universal Basic Education (UBE), National Economic Empowerment Development Strategy (NEEDS) and Millennium Development Goals (MDG).

The eradication of hunger and poverty is probably the most basic targets out of the eight UN Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). The nation, perhaps, having failed the mid-term MDGs assessment moved her goal post from 2015 to 2020.

With a continuous rise in food prices and 1.02 billion undernourished people in the world, 21 of the 36 worst hit countries are in Africa. The African situation is a disturbing paradox. Africa boasts of abundant agricultural resource base, but most African countries cannot feed their populations.

The case of Nigeria is pathetic. In the 60s, agriculture was the mainstay of the Nigerian economy, a major source of employment and the country's main foreign exchange earner. The country not only produced enough to feed itself, it was the major food basket for the West African sub-region. The region had cocoa in the West, rubber in the Mid-West, agricultural produce and palm oil in the East and South South, food crops in the Middle Belt and the North. Nigeria's soil spewed forth cocoa, groundnut, tomatoes, yam tubers, cassava, maize and so on. Livestock was just as abundant.

Government soon set up research institutes across the country on different crops, and in many ways, agriculture defined the nation. But today, this same country can barely feed itself. Nigeria's arable land is about 74 million hectares, less than half of that is now being cultivated. About 80 per cent Nigerians live in the rural areas, but those villagers no longer want to farm. Across the country, there are not up to 30, 000 tractors. Farming is still largely subsistent; in 2009, the Nigerian farmer still depends mainly on rainfall.

Whatever is produced cannot be processed. There are no storage facilities. Most fruits that are produced are wasted. Farmers need infrastructural facilities: good roads on which they transport their products, the railway, electricity, easy access to markets, loans. But these are not available. All the agricultural research institutes of old are under-funded, poorly managed and neglected. The International Institute for Tropical Agriculture (IITA) in Ibadan has since scaled down its operations in Nigeria.

The effects are obvious. Food prices are high, few can afford to feed well. Many children and families suffer from vitamins and minerals deficiency, the country faces a nutrition catastrophe. In the Second Republic, one Federal Minister had quipped that he could not yet see Nigerians eating from the dustbins. These days, nobody needs to look too far. Professor Wole Soyinka had alluded to the inability of African leaders to come up with "intelligent interventions" in addressing the hunger and poverty challenge. Professor Derek Walcott during a forum tagged "Food Security and Poverty Alleviation" organised under the auspices of Oceanic Bank International Plc, last year, spoke about the need for "conscience."Experts believe that the food and poverty crisis in Nigeria can be directly linked to these two issues. They attribute food crisis to failure of governance. First, Nigeria found oil and it abandoned agriculture. The country stopped planning for the future. Unfortunately, oil boom has not brought peace. It has only created chaos, hunger, unbridled greed.

Nigeria is a regular participant at international conferences on food security. It signed the Maputo Consensus of 2003 where all African nations agreed to devote 10 per cent of national budget to agriculture. Budgetary allocation to agriculture in Nigeria is about 3 to 4 per cent. The country has a National Programme for Food Security (NPFS), and a National Food Reserve Agency, a parastatal of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Water Resources. But the agricultural sector is the location of some of the biggest scams in the country. There is no way Nigeria can feed itself with infernally corrupt persons in charge of its affairs. State governments invest in fertilizers, and make a huge show of providing same to farmers.

But the fertilizer is almost always stolen and sold across the border. Government does not get its priorities right. And the people are not impressed. When recently, the Federal Government announced a N200 billion agricultural fund, many Nigerians perceived this as half measures. Can anyone query such cynicism? The last time the Federal Government launched a similar scheme, the main, (some add the only) beneficiary was the farm owned by the incumbent President.

Obviously, there has been a massive failure in the area of policy. The extant Revised Import Prohibition List for example, prohibits the importation of a long list of food items with the intent of encouraging local production and market. The items on that list include live or dead birds, birds eggs, beef and beef products, flowers, plastic and fresh, cassava/cassava products, beer, biscuits, spaghetti/noodles, fruit juice in retail packs, waters, vegetable oils, maize, sugar confectionaries (other than chocolate), and yet all these items are sold openly on Nigerian streets. Government cannot enforce its own rules. Worse, we have witnessed too many policy summersaults in the past two years. Take palm oil. Government had banned the importation of palm oil, but now it has turned full circle to allow 100 per cent palm oil importation thus sabotaging the local industry. An economic framework that is riddled with inconsistencies between monetary and fiscal policies and which makes imports more affordable than local products is bound to promote poverty.

Analysts believe that the failure of the nation in the mid-term MDGs assessment and movement from Vision 2015 to Vision 2020 spell doom for a country that is downtrodden in poverty. There are fears that the country may have to move it again. Meanwhile, poverty stalks the land, with 70 per cent of the population living on less than a dollar a day, and according to the World Bank, about 40 million Nigerians are unemployed. More than that number is probably under-employed. Nigeria has about the highest maternal morbidity and infant mortality rates in the world, our hospitals are bad, the school system has collapsed, social infrastructure too.

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