The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agricultural sector, including farmers, to heed warning signals on rainfall and flood predictions to boost food security and mitigate losses on investment.

The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Boss Mustapha, advised while delivering a convocation lecture at Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) on Saturday in Zaria.

Speaking on the theme, “The impact of natural disasters on food security and agricultural development in Nigeria’’, Mr Mustapha enjoined farmers to respect weather forecasts from the meteorological unit to prevent disasters and avoid losses.

“Nigeria is just getting out of the COVID-19 pandemic and 2022 flooding. Consequently, there is a compelling need for unity of action towards containing the man-made and natural disasters in the country,’’ he said.

Mr Mustapha, who classified the flooding experience in Nigeria as a man-made disaster, said it was caused mainly by a complete disregard and disrespect for the environment.

However, he said empirical evidence seems to be pointing to the fact that the cyclical occurrence of the flood (2012, 2022 and if it happens in 2032) could move it from being man-made to natural.

The SGF noted that any natural or artificial disaster could be detrimental to agricultural practices and hamper efficient crop yield and the health of livestock and fisheries, among others.

According to him, one of the government’s efforts at mitigating the challenge was strengthening the early warning system through anticipatory action programmes to empower communities before the incidence of flood.

He, therefore, urged agricultural extension agents and other relevant stakeholders to take early warning signals from the metrological unit on the potential of flood to the farmers.

To further enhance agricultural infrastructure and attract young people to farming and investors, the SGF said the government was contemplating replicating the COVID-19 response strategies to enhance agriculture.

“I have the privilege of chairing the National Response to COVID-19, and I saw the interplay of the synergy between the government and corporate world.

“Mr Herbert Wigwe, the Chairman of the occasion, was also the chairman of CACOVID Response, where the corporate organisations came together and supported the government in the fight against COVID-19.

“Under his leadership, we had isolation centres and molecular laboratories we constructed across the length and breadth of this country.

“We can transfer the pattern we use for the COVID response, bringing in the government driving the process working together with the corporate world and development partners,’’ Mr Mustapha said.

(NAN)