The Minister of Livestock Development, Idi-Mukhtar Maiha, says addressing food challenges in Nigeria involves tackling issues of affordability and availability.

Mr Maiha communicated this at the 22nd Daily Trust Dialogue on Thursday in Abuja. According to him, hunger remains a pressing challenge in Nigeria.

He said the 2024 Global Hunger Index ranked Nigeria 110th out of the 127 countries in Africa, which is still facing food challenges despite its abundant natural resources and fertile land.

“Millions of Nigerians face food scarcity; with 28.8 per cent in the 2024 Global Hunger Index, Nigeria has a level of hunger that is serious; hunger remains a pressing challenge in Nigeria, the most populous country in Africa,’’ he stated.

He said addressing hunger involved answering both the availability and affordability questions as the factors were critical in ensuring equitable access to nutrition.

“Per capita milk consumption in Nigeria is low; it stands at around 8.7 litres per year, which is well below the global average of 44 litres per person per year,’’ he said.

The minister said that agricultural policies should be made to address subsistence agriculture, where people produce food only to take care of their family needs without any remaining for the markets.

Mr Maiha said large-scale mechanised production was the only option for higher commercial yield.

The speaker of the House of Representatives, Abbas Tajudeen, said the theme of the 2024 dialogue was apt at a time when Nigeria was on the verge of food catastrophe if adequate measures were not put in place.

Mr Abbas said the National Assembly was poised to make legislation to enhance food availability and affordability in Nigeria. He urged stakeholders to join hands to ensure that no child in Nigeria went to bed hungry.

(NAN)