By; JACOB ONJEWU DICKSON
The Africa Media Development Foundation (AMDF), with support from Omni Agrik Specialties Ltd, will be implementing a project titled, “Strengthening Capacity of Journalists in Kaduna on Reporting Food Security”.
This was disclosed in a statement signed by the Executive Director, AMDF, Iliya Kure, made available to newsmen in Kaduna on Tuesday October 5.
“This is aimed at equipping select journalists to understand the concept of Food Security and to explore the linkages between insecurity and food production; highlight these threats and its impact and demand drastic action relevant stakeholders, especially the government, which has the responsibility of securing lives and the means of livelihood of its citizens,” he said.
According to the statement, during the 6-month implementation period, AMDF will engage select Kaduna-based journalists and avail them with useful resources that will lead to increase in awareness amongst policy makers and the general public, on the premise that when people are enlightened on food insecurity and the danger that looms, they will be able to take decisions at their levels and contribute towards managing the situation.
According to the statement titled, “Introducing Our Newest Project: Strengthening Capacity of Journalists in Kaduna on Reporting Food Security” a recent report by the World Food Programme (WFP) reveals that Nigeria and 22 other countries across the globe would experience acute food insecurity in the last quarter of 2021.
“The report attributed the imminent acute food insecurity to conflicts, economic repercussions of COVID-19 and climate crises in these countries, which it tagged “hunger hotspots”. It said.
It explained that in Nigeria, farmer-herder attacks have continued to pose a great setback on food production, especially in the middle belt region, coupled with the effects of Boko Haram, banditry and Kidnappings in the North West and North East geopolitical zones.
“For fear of being kidnapped, many farmers have deserted their farmlands, while some farmers have had their farm produce destroyed by cattle or harvested by bandits.
“This has resulted in low agricultural output with a resultant effect on food security. This no doubt comes with a ripple effect of famine and consequently malnutrition amongst children,” it pointed out.
AMDF lamented that while farmers await interventions from security agencies, government and development partners, it is important that the media plays a role in amplifying these issues and continue to draw attention of relevant stakeholders to the risks faced by large- and small-scale farmers and what it portends for food security and economic growth in the near future.
