COVID-19 and FOOD INSECURITY in NIGERIA

The Novel coronavirus has continued to spread rapidly since it's discovery in December 2019, endangering the health and Livelihood of Millions of people the world over. Current Global statistics put the impact of the Covid-19 Pandemic at over 3 million cases and over 205,000 deaths globally across over 210 countries. With harsh Economic implications for Global movement and International Trade

Countries the world over are scrambling to set up policies (social restrictions, Curfews, Lockdown etc.) to keep their citizens safe and fed, some of such policies having harsh economic implications, and impacts on her citizens. The Negative impacts of the Covid-19 Pandemic on Agriculture and Global food production cannot be overemphasized, no doubt the Global food system has been adversely affected by the Pandemic; food production, processing, distribution and marketing have all felt the negative impacts of the Covid-19 Pandemic. and these impacts will grow if sound and proactive measures are not put in place to protect Global food production from Covid-19.

The United Nations in her press release on April 22nd, 2020 warned of "Global farmines of Biblical Proportions" in coming months, stating that the Covid-19 Pandemic will push another estimated 130million people to the brink of starvation, when added to the UN estimated 321 million chronically starved people. The global starvation numbers would soon be crossing 500 million people. It is therefore time for Nigeria to act in order to protect us from the looming Global food crisis.

Chairman of the Presidential Task Force (PTF) for Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) in Nigeria, Mr Boss Mustapha, speaking during the daily press briefing on Friday 24th, April 2020 in Abuja, has asked farmers in the country to prepare to return to their farms very soon, stating that this became necessary to avert food crisis in the country at a time the nation was battling with health and economic crisis. While this is commendable, it is simply not enough.

Global research has proven that the Covid-19 Pandemic will be a direct precursor to Global food crisis, in Nigeria the distribution of food and palliatives by Various Staate government and well meaning individuals have seriously depleted the National food reserve, and there is therefore an urgent need to encourage mass production in order to replenish the dwindling reserve.

The Nigerian Government must address the challenges in the Nations Agricultural sector in two ways, firstly by setting up urgent agricultural policies that will address large scale food production, and secondly by driving adherence to safety protocols on all farms in order to protect farmers from the Covid-19 Pandemic and ensure continous producion.

The Government must come up with;
1. economic palliatives targeted at encouraging rural farmers to enable them produce and expand, through Commercial and Agricultural loans, subsidized Agro inputs, etc this has been in place but needs to be scaled up urgently for expanded reach to more rural farmers.
2. Government must invest in curbing post harvest losses of perishable food crops through public and private sector funded partnership in processing and storage as we cannot afford to waste any more food during this period.
3. Government must at this time address the longstanding issue of food price regulation as this will help farmers get more money from their various enterprises.
4 state governments must step in to address Labour shortages in the agricultural sector, by mass recruitment of farm workers and making available more machinery to encourage commercial production

Safety precautions to be adhered to in Farms.

It is important that we drive the message of adherence to safety protocols in the rural areas which make up the bulk of our food production areas. Commercial farms must set high standards and direct all workers to comply, while the various farm groups and farm cooperative must be carried along in order to ensure that proper information is passed across to all Farmers and that compliance can be monitored.

a. Keep all non-essential visitors off the farm. Fewer people means less risk. Keep it to the bare minimum of individuals coming into the farm.
b. 14-day quarantine after going through an airport. If air travel is necessary, comply with at least 2-weeks quarantine before returning to a farm/office.
c. Drive to the farm. If visitors are necessary, only allow visitors that can drive to the farm (not air travellers) to prevent exposure from airport travel.
d. Stagger your break and lunchtimes; avoid having too many people congregate in one area.
e. Order extra supplies of essentials if possible. We don’t know how long this pandemic will last and we don’t know which items could be back-ordered as a result.
f. Communicate often with staff. Continue to communicate with staff and provide examples to offer assurances that all precautions are taken.
g. Strictly follow all biosecurity procedures and protocols. Now is the time to tighten up all biosecurity measures.
h. Regularly Clean and disinfect ‘high-touch’ surfaces daily such as tables, hardbacked chairs, doorknobs, light switches, remotes, handles, desks, toilets, sinks. Diluted bleach (20 ml/liter), 70 percent alcohol solutions, and most registered household disinfectants work.
i. Keep clothing and towels clean. Wash and disinfect clothing and towels as well as clothing hampers.
j. Avoid hand-to-hand contact. Don’t shake hands to minimize the risk of spread and wear gloves for activities where contact might occur.

With a combination of Collective individual actions and Government Interventions. The Agricultural sector and food production will thrive in the midst of the Covid-19 Pandemic.

COVID-19 and FOOD INSECURITY in NIGERIA...
KingzField Agro Allied Services
kingzfieldagroallied@gmail.com

Hmmm

The earth has observed it's Sabbath.

Nature spoke.

The Covid-19 Pandemic is not about nature reacting. It is man made, a product of Man's wisdom. Researching into synthesizing Viruses