About 31.8 million Nigerians have been estimated to face acute hunger and malnutrition this year as food prices have continued to sour. A statistic made available by Cadre Harmonise for the year 2024 report revealed that the surge in the prices of staple food have continue to skyrockets following the removal of fuel subsidy and the continued activities of banditry that have denied many farmers access to their farmlands.
The National Bureau of Statistics, NBS, had yesterday released some selected food price index for the month of July, 2024 where the summary was not palatable as most food prices have soured above 200% in the last one year.
According to the report, the average retail price of 1kg of brown beans stood at N2, 444.81, indicating a price rise of 262.98 percent on a year-on-year bases from N673.53 when it was sold in July, 2023.
More so, price of 1kg of tomato rose by 203.57 percent from N557.96 in July last year to N673.53 when it was sold at similar time this year 2024.
Similarly, a 1kg of garri, a popular food amongst Nigerians which was sold for N429.89 in July last year is now going for N1,151.79 making a 167.98% inflation.
Development partners like Food and Agricultural Organisation, FAO, GAIN, GIZ and Agys, during their two-days joint review meeting in Abuja on implementation of food system in Nigeria that ended yesterday has warned that unless deliberate effort are put in place by the Nigerian government, there is eminent starvation.
The group advocated for a multi-dimensional approach of collaboration in tackling the menace, saying that both civil society organization and private sectors have to come together to ensure nutrition is provided for the populace.
Meanwhile, they pleaded their unalloyed support to the Nigerian government and its populace in fighting the menace.
The permanent Secretary, Ministry of Budget and Economic planning, Dr Emeka Vitalis obi, while declaring the meeting open disclosed that the purpose of the meeting was to discuss the status of the implementation and for that that of the Ministry, Department and Agencies, MDAs, to make their own presentation on how far they have prepare for the pathway to face the food crises.
Obi applauded the developmental partners for the timely dedication in humanitarians’ activities across the country which always comes handy with solutions that lead to strengthen the system.
Earlier, the National Convener of Food System in Nigeria and the Director of social Development of the ministry, Dr Sanjo Faniran during his welcome address appreciated all stakeholders for their continued support in moving the food system in Nigeria.
He noted that the review meeting was also targeted to identify the gaps, successes and challenges so far, and to offer recommendation where possible with peer review among MDAs.