CEM REPORT, AGROFOOD | The steady rise in prices of stable food in Nigeria appears to defy government policies. Several factors have been blamed for the harsh condition food shortage which include currency devaluation, inadequate or dilapidated road infrastructure, fuel subsidy removal, insecurity and others.
Whichever the culprit may be, the trend of rising food inflation must be nipped in the bud. As the nation grapples with economic challenges exacerbated by various factors, the implications of rising food prices are deeply felt by citizens across the country.
In a recent interview with CEM Television, Alex Chidi Anameje, a Nigerian economist, strongly advised the government to consider importation of food in the short term to mitigate the food crises pending when other measures will materialize.
The Econometrician gave this advise while talking with CEM Television on its program ‘State of the Nation’s Economy’ last week.
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There is acute shortage of food, government should liberalize a bit and get food imported into the country because people are dying. I can’t imaging, a trailer carrying food is being stopped and the food carted away.
While Anameje emphasized increased domestic food production as the sure solution, he acknowledged the fact it takes time for farm products to be available for consumption and therefore consider this measure as temporal. He is not in any way advocating continuous food importation since that is detrimental to domestic product as well.
He underscored the importance of ensuring security in Nigeria and in food producing areas in especially. Anameje emphasized the need for the government to address security concerns that prevent farmers from cultivating their lands.
“Benue State is the food basket of this nation, they hardly go to farm now. This is happening in other state of the country. Successive governments have paid lips service to this serious issue. Nigeria government should do something seriously to curb the menace”; Anameje said.
