Reduce Reliance On Food Imports To Ease Naira Fall - Peter Obi Speaks From Kigali ~ OsazuwaAkonedo #Food #Kigali #Obi #Peter #Rwanda https://osazuwaakonedo.online/reduce-reliance-on-food-imports-to-ease-naira-fall-peter-obi-speaks-from-kigali/06/09/2024/ #news Published: September 6th, 2024 Reshared: September 6, 2024 9:34 pm Peter Obi, the 2023 Nigeria presidential candidate of Labour Party has called on
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00:00Peter Obi, the 2023 Nigeria presidential candidate of Labour Party has called on Nigerians to
00:06reduce reliance on food imports as way to ease the fall of Naira.
00:11Peter Obi made the call on Friday during the Africa Food System Forum 2024 held in the
00:17Rwandan capital, Kigali.
00:20According to Peter Obi, food insecurity in Africa is similar to human insecurity in the
00:26continent.
00:27Adding, solving food insecurity in Nigeria is the major way to solving every other insecurity
00:33in the country.
00:35He said, Today, I was one of the panelists at the Africa Food Systems Forum 2024 held
00:42in the Rwandan capital, Kigali.
00:44At the session, I reiterated my long-held position that food insecurity in Africa is
00:50intrinsically linked to human insecurity.
00:54Using Nigeria as an example, I emphasized that solving food insecurity is a major path
01:00to general security in the country.
01:03By investing in agricultural and food-related productivity, Nigeria will not only be addressing
01:09the hunger, but also create huge job opportunities for the teeming unemployed population, especially
01:15the youths in their productive age.
01:19Increasing reliance on food imports will help ease the strain on our currency, steady
01:24exchange rates, and reign in inflationary pressures driven by high food costs.
01:29To further elucidate the untapped potential in our food production chain, Bangladesh,
01:35with approximately 148,000 square kilometers less than one-sixth of Nigeria's about 923,768
01:45square kilometers, produces 35 to 40 million tons of rice annually.
01:51In contrast, Nigeria produces only 3 to 4 million tons of rice, which is roughly 10
01:58percent of Bangladesh's rice production.
02:01This disparity which is similar to the African situation highlights the untapped potential
02:06of Africa's agricultural sector and underscores the need for investment.
02:12Unstopped insecurity, if addressed properly in Africa, can be a catalyst for enhancing
02:17human security and promoting overall development.
02:21With significant investments in agricultural and food systems, we can create jobs, reduce
02:28poverty, and tackle hunger simultaneously.
02:32We can even feed basic food processing industries and thus create even more jobs.
02:37By focusing on sustainable agricultural practices and value chain improvements, we can not only
02:43ensure food also empower communities and promote economic growth, leading to a more prosperous
02:49and secure Africa.
02:51We must prioritize food security to unlock the continent's potential and address the
02:56pressing issues of human insecurity.
02:59An Africa that feeds itself is at the center of our aspiration.
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