There is enough stored food to feed all Nigerians in 2018 - FG allays fears of scarcity and starvation in coming year

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- The minister of agriculture, Audu Ogbeh, has stated that the federal government has stocked enough food to address any possible shortages in 2018

- Ogbeh stated that even though some states in the North-east and other parts of the country may experience low agricultural yield in 2018 due to climate change and weather issues, starvation was out of the issue

- The minister further advised farmers to desist from indiscriminate felling of trees, in order to preserve the environment

The federal government said on Sunday, November 12, that it had stocked enough food to address possible shortages in some states in 2018, NAN reports.

Audu Ogbeh, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, made the disclosure in Katsina state.

Ogbeh’s comments come following the prediction by the Food and Agricultural Organisation, that some states in the country would experience low agricultural yield due to late commencement of rains in 2018.

NAIJ.com gathers that the minister spoke at the Joint International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD)/Federal Government 2nd Supervision Mission for Climate Change, Adaptation and Agribusiness Support Forum.

The minister was represented at the event by his Senior Technical Adviser, Auta Appeh.

He stated: “Some states in the North-east and other parts of the country will likely experience low agricultural yield in 2018 due to climate change and weather issues.

‘’However, starvation is out of the issue. I can assure you that we have reserved enough food for them, through our food security program."

Ogbeh advised farmers to desist from indiscriminate felling of trees, in order to preserve the environment.

According to the minister, cutting down trees exposes soil to desertification, erosion and other effects of climate change that have negative impact on the environment.

He said statistics had put the rate of desert encroachment in Nigeria at about 12 miles per annum.

He stated: “So, the effects can be felt everywhere. For us to address the problem, all hands must be on deck.”

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Recall that NAIJ.com previously reported that a report put together by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the World Food Programme (WFP), the National Programme for Food Security (NPFS) and other donor agencies, indicated that some Nigerian states may face food crises in 2018.

The report projected that about 4.8 million Nigerians may face critical food insecurity situations in 16 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in 2018.

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