The Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), a UN agency, has forecasted that by 2030, approximately 82 million Nigerians, constituting about 64% of the population, might confront hunger.
This prediction comes amidst existing severe hunger issues in Nigeria.
The UN has urged the government to tackle climate change, pest outbreaks, and other challenges affecting agricultural productivity.
Taofiq Braimoh, a UN official representing the FAO’s Resident Humanitarian Coordinator, disclosed these findings at the recent launch of CropWatch in Abuja.
He stressed the potential of technology to accelerate progress towards sustainable development goals in food and agriculture.
Braimoh highlighted the Nigerian government’s collaboration in conducting an annual food security survey, which has revealed alarming projections: around 22 million Nigerians will experience food insecurity in 2024, with 80-82 million at risk of severe food insecurity by 2030.
Nigeria, like many nations, faces challenges such as food insecurity, climate change, erratic water patterns, pest outbreaks, and other threats to agricultural productivity. Enhancing agricultural technology is crucial for strengthening the sector and ensuring food security.
He emphasized that satellite-based crop monitoring provides real-time data on crop conditions, empowering farmers and policymakers to make informed decisions and improve agricultural practices. Technology, he concluded, holds significant promise in advancing sustainable development goals in food and agriculture.
