The Presidency has warned that Nigeria, which Africa’s largest producer of
cereals and grains risks famine from early next year following a huge
demand in the global market that is targeting the country’s surplus
production.
Giving the grim forecast in a radio interview in KANO on Monday, a
spokesman of the President, Malam Garba Shehu told Pyramid radio that the
“huge demand for our grains in the global market is creating an excellent
environment for the mindless export of Nigerian food across our borders
and unless this curtailed, Nigerian markets will be bereft of grains by
January next year.”
The presidential spokesman said the Ministry of Agriculture has advised
the President on the need to draw the attention of all Nigerians to an
issue which, if not addressed promptly, could lead to a shortage of grains
in our country by January.
“Over the past year, Providence has blessed Nigeria with a bountiful
harvest of grains, more than enough to feed the country and to export to
other countries. At present, there is a high demand for grains from
Nigeria, from African countries as distant as Libya and Algeria, and from
places as far away as Brazil. However, the ministry of agriculture has
raised concerns about a massive rate of exportation, which could lead to a
shortage of grains in Nigeria by January,” Malam Garba said.
He explained that Nigeria currently enjoys a free market situation.
“President Muhammadu Buhari is not in any way opposed to or intent on
tampering with that. On the other hand, exporters also have a moral
obligation to make their produce available to Nigerians who live within
our country’s borders, to ensure that our citizens have access to food.”
The President’s Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity informed
the radio station that the ministry of agriculture estimates that no fewer
than 500 trucks laden with grain leave Nigerian markets every week, headed
for countries outside our borders. The major markets involved in this
exportation are: the Dawanau market in Kano, Naigatari in Jigawa, Bama in
Borno, and Ilela in Sokoto, as well as three other main markets in Kebbi
State.
He further explained that President Buhari has on various occasions
reiterated his plan for Nigeria to become a food-producing giant,
self-sufficient to the point of depending very little on imported food.
“This noble plan could easily be defeated by the pull of the foreign
market if food continues to leave our shores to feed people elsewhere. If
care is not taken, Nigeria could face a famine by January,” he stressed.
“Building our country into the edifice we envision it to be will require
sacrifice and strategy from every single Nigerian. Let us remember that
charity begins at home,” said in the program.