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An agripreneur and Chairman of Farm Drop Nigeria ,Lady Davina Stevens has lamented that a nation blessed with vast agricultural resources, such as Nigeria, faces such challenges as food insecurity..
Speaking in Abuja during the conferment of a doctorate degree on her, Dr. Davina Rose Stevens, a leader in agricultural innovation, highlighted Nigeria’s agricultural potential while acknowledging the significant food security challenges the country faces.
Lady Davina said, “Food security exists only when all people have physical, social, and economic access to sufficient, safe, and nutritious food that meets their dietary needs for an active and healthy life.
According to her, “Despite Nigeria’s abundant fertile and arable land, many Nigerians are confronted with food shortages and escalating food prices.
Highlighting the factors which has contributed to food insecurity, she enumerated key factors like insecurity, Lack of Youth Engagement in Agriculture, hike in fuel price/scarcity and power outage as factoring affecting Food Security in Nigeria
Insecurity: Ethnic conflicts, banditry, and insurgency activities have severely disrupted agricultural activities especially in some of the northern region. Over the past five years, these issues have resulted in over 77,000 deaths and displaced 2.6 million people, drastically reducing food production and increasing prices by up to 253% for staples like beans and 123% for tomatoes.
Lack of Youth Engagement in Agriculture
The youths are the future of Nigeria, yet there is a noticeable lack of interest in farming. “By providing training and encouragement, we can inspire young Nigerians to embrace agriculture, promoting food sufficiency and creating employment opportunities,” Dr. Stevens emphasized.
Fuel Scarcity: Rising transportation costs due to fuel shortages hinder the movement of food from farms to markets. Farmers who can transport their goods often pass the increased costs onto consumers, thereby exacerbating food inflation.
Power Outages: Inconsistent electricity supply affects the preservation and processing of agricultural products, leading to significant post-harvest losses. Reliable power is essential for minimizing waste and ensuring a steady food supply.
Lady Davina Stevens disclosed that, “When I came to Nigeria, my mission was clear; to help people harness their potential and resources to achieve food sufficiency.”
The Chairman of Farm Drop revealed that her agricultural company, Farm Drop Nigeria, has launched a new campaign, the “Homegrown Initiative,” aimed at tackling the country’s growing food insecurity, rising food prices, and malnutrition by encouraging Nigerians to utilise available space in their homes to grow food, boosting sustainable production and reducing reliance on market purchases.
Proffering solutions to the current food insecurity, Lady Davina Stevens stated that, “Homegrown Initiative: Encouraging Nigerians to utilize available spaces in their homes for food cultivation. This approach reduces reliance on market purchases and ensures access to fresh, unadulterated produce.
“Farm-to-Table Model: Connecting farmers directly with consumers to eliminate middlemen. “We discovered that many farmers struggle with distribution and are often exploited by intermediaries,” Dr. Stevens noted. “Our platform allows farmers who register with us to sell directly to customers, ensuring fair prices and reducing food costs.”
“Youth Training Programs: Offering educational resources and support to inspire youth participation in agriculture, fostering a new generation of agripreneurs equipped with modern farming techniques.
“Alignment with National Initiatives:
Farm Drop Nigeria efforts align with the Renewed Hope Initiative of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. By collaborating with governmental and non-governmental organizations, the campaign aims to eradicate food insecurity and stimulate growth in the agricultural sector.
A Call to Action
“I urge all Nigerians, our distinguished lawmakers, and state governors to join us in this vital initiative,” Dr. Stevens appealed. “Together, we can transform our agricultural landscape, combat hunger, and build a prosperous future for our nation.”
It could be recalled that in a groundbreaking campaign aimed at empowering Nigerians to utilize their personal spaces to cultivate food, thereby addressing the pressing challenges of food insecurity and soaring food prices in the country, Lady Davina Stevens, had announced the launch of the “Homegrown Initiative, an approach which will reduce reliance on market purchases and ensures access to fresh, unadulterated produce.
