An agricultural expert, Prof. Mohammed Ishiyaku Faguji, has predicted shortage of food after this harvest season, due to severe flood ravaging some parts of the northern states.
Faguji, who is also the Executive Director, Institute of Agricultural Research (IAR) Zaria, made the prediction while fielding questions from journalists in his office.
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He observed that the flood was so significant this year, and it was estimated that over 30 per cent of agricultural investments in states such as Jigawa, Kogi, Kebbi and some parts of Kano and Bauchi would be lost.
The expert stated that this development would naturally translate into shortage in the annual harvest of grains and other agricultural produce which will consequently results in short supply of food items.
“If the demand supersedes the supply, the internal supply of food items will be affected grossly as a result of the flood disaster which will surely cause rise in the prices of food commodity. And the rise in the price of food items would be different from the earlier ones Nigerians were complaining about.
“Food items, like any other commodity, have the right to increase in value because people invest money to produce the food and wherever there is investment, there is a right to make profit out of the investment,” he said.
He advised the federal government to undertake a carefully design intervention programme to ensure that the food supply system maintains its natural equilibrium while assisting the farmers with farm inputs against the dry season.
The scientist frowned at calls from some people for the opening of borders for food importation to cushion the hardship. He said such agitations must not be considered by government due its negative consequences.
Faguji suggested that experts should be invited immediately to assess the flood situation in the country to recommend professional intervention needed from within and outside the country.
“Since the flood disaster is not all over the country, if the production in other parts is good enough to cushion the effect of the flooding in other places, then that should be one of the measures to take.
“Secondly, farmers should be supported to utilize the receding moisture to plant appropriate crops that can be grown using the receding moisture,” he advised.
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