Boko Haram: There will be no famine in Nigeria —Ogbeh

Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Mr Audu Ogbeh, has ruled out possibility of famine in the country, especially in North-eastern Nigeria, but has admitted that Borno and Yobe states may likely experience a shortage in the supply of food and possible hike in food prices due to insurgency it suffered over the years.

The minister, who disclosed this while answering  journalists at the sidelines of the ongoing retreat for directors of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, in collaboration  with Synergos, a non-profit organisation, said neither the devastation in the North-East states nor the farmers and herdsmen crisis in Kaduna State would lead to famine and starvation in the country.

According to Ogbeh, “the prediction of famine is one that people have liked to inflict on the country, saying there will be famine. We must not be a country that is always wishing for the worst. Famine is very unlikely.

“There will be tough times in the northeast because for almost five years, they have not been able to go their farms being a major agricultural zone, especially Borno and Yobe states, which were the main theatres of war.

“On the other hand, there is no state that is as prepared for agriculture as Borno State. There are more tractors in Borno State than in 10 states put together,” he added.

The minister explained that many Nigeriams were already aware of the threat of food shortage in the country, saying “the fact that two million people were displaced, does not mean we are going to stand by and watch people starve to death. We will not stand by and watch people starve to death, there may be food shortage and high prices, yes, but as for famine, no.”

He disclosed the government was working relentlessly towards ensuring all-year agricultural activities and food production, as another harvest of rice and other grains would be coming up in April.

“There is another harvest of rice and grains coming up by April, there is dry season farming, so we are not hiding. We are aware that we are running the risk of having severe food shortage and high prices, but I don’t think the expectation of famine is likely.

“Food prices are high, but they are also beginning to fall sway. I have people in the market checking on the prices of beans a month ago and they told me there has been a drop of N80 per bowl in some parts and the harvests are coming in larger volumes,” the minister said.