By Ejiofor Agada
As a populous and agriculturally rich nation, Nigeria faces significant challenges in achieving sustainable national food security. The ability to ensure that all citizens have access to safe, nutritious, and affordable food is crucial for the overall well-being and development of the country.
It is a known fact that various complexities, including insufficient data collection and management, inadequate coordination among stakeholders, and limited access to accurate information on food production and distribution, mark Nigeria’s food security landscape.
This then leads to how we can explore the pivotal role of investing in a Database Management Centre to address these challenges and pave the way for sustainable national food security in Nigeria, as is currently being done by the federal government of Nigeria through the efforts of the Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology under the auspices of the Nigerian Institute of Food Science and Technology (NIFST).
By harnessing the power of data, this approach can facilitate informed decision-making, enhance efficiency in the agricultural sector, and ultimately contribute to the achievement of food security goals.
To put this in a clear context, it is generally known that food security is a critical issue for Nigeria, as it directly affects the well-being of its citizens and the overall stability of the country. With a population of over 200 million people, ensuring a sustainable and secure food supply is of utmost importance. Adequate access to nutritious food not only promotes better health outcomes but also contributes to economic growth and poverty reduction.
It is based on the foregoing that necessitated the recent commissioning of the Database Management Centre of the Nigerian Council of Food Science and Technology (NiCFoST) by the honourable Minister for Innovation, Science and Technology, Chief Geoffrey Nnaji. NiCFOST, which is a Regulatory Council established about three years ago, amidst the constraints of the COVID-19 Pandemic, to regulate the practice and profession of Food Science and Technology in Nigeria, is responsible for the development of the curriculum of Food Science and Technology programmes and its variant Disciplines in the Tertiary Institutions. It also grants annual Practice Licence to qualified Food Scientists and Technologists tracks and processes the data of food business locations for their practice.
Because one of the key challenges in Nigeria’s food security landscape is the lack of comprehensive and accurate agricultural data, NiCFOST was established to maintain a register of persons entitled to practice in the Food-possessing value chain, register premises used for that purpose and publish list of persons and premises so registered. Without reliable data on crop yields, weather patterns, and market trends, it becomes difficult to make informed decisions and implement effective policies to address food security issues.
This information gap also hampers the ability to forecast potential shortages, identify areas of surplus, and allocate resources effectively. As a result, farmers may struggle to find markets for their produce, while consumers may face higher food prices or scarcity.
In Nigeria’s complex food supply chain, coordination among various stakeholders, such as farmers, traders, and government agencies, is crucial. Unfortunately, the lack of efficient coordination often leads to inefficiencies, wastage, and delays in the distribution of food. This further exacerbates food insecurity in the country. By investing in the Data Management Centre by NiCFoST, Nigeria will use effective database management as a tool to play a vital role in addressing Nigeria’s food security challenges. By collecting, organizing, and analyzing agricultural data, policymakers and stakeholders will be able to make informed decisions about resource allocation, agricultural investments, and market interventions. This data-driven approach empowers them to identify potential issues and take timely action.
In his remark at the launch of the Data Centre, the Minister, Chief Geoffrey Nnaji, said, “As the first Food Science and Technology regulatory Council in Sub-Saharan Africa, NiCFoST is crucial for optimizing health and economic benefits, ensuring sustainable national food security and addressing food insecurity that requires collaborative efforts, and innovation. I am pleased that despite budgetary challenges, NiCFoST has stepped up its activities for self-sustainability”.
It is noteworthy that a well-managed database provides the necessary information for targeted interventions and resource allocation. By identifying regions or communities that are vulnerable to food insecurity, policymakers in Nigeria can now implement specific measures to address their unique challenges. This includes providing targeted subsidies, agricultural extension services, and other forms of support to improve productivity and enhance food security in those areas.
It is important, however, to note that the recently launched Database Management Centre requires robust data collection mechanisms, such as remote sensing, satellite imagery, and on-the-ground surveys. These methods ensure that accurate and relevant data is collected at regular intervals. Additionally, a secure and scalable storage infrastructure is essential to store and manage vast amounts of data.
To derive insights from the collected data, the Database Management Centre must have advanced data integration and analysis systems. These systems should be capable of processing diverse data sets, identifying patterns, and generating meaningful reports. Utilizing technologies like artificial intelligence and machine learning can further enhance the analysis capabilities.
Countries like the Netherlands and Denmark have established highly efficient database management systems for their agricultural sectors, and their success lies in the integration of various data sources, from farm-level data to market information, and the use of advanced analytics to generate valuable insights. These countries have demonstrated the importance of collaboration between government agencies, research institutions, and the private sector in harnessing data for better decision-making.
Investing in this robust Database Management Centre, holds immense potential for Nigeria to overcome the existing challenges in its food security landscape. By leveraging data collection, integration, and analysis, the country can make more informed decisions, improve coordination among stakeholders, and allocate resources effectively.
However, to achieve sustainable national food security, Nigeria must prioritize the development of data infrastructure, address financial and capacity limitations, and foster collaboration among relevant stakeholders. With a comprehensive strategy and dedicated efforts, Nigeria can pave the way for a future where food security is not only attainable but also sustainable for all its citizens.
