Food Insecurity:Stop Blaming Govt, Start Farming- Youth Entrepreneur Tells Nigerians

Chima Christian

Good Insecurity:Stop Blaming Govt, Start Farming- Youth Entrepreneur Tells Nigerians

By our correspondent

Nigerians must move beyond the constant habit of blaming the government for the nation’s underwhelming agricultural output and begin embracing modern farming techniques to produce food and create wealth.

This was the charge from youth entrepreneur and social affairs analyst, Mr. Chima Christian, in an exclusive interview with a TNC correspondent in Enugu.

Christian emphasized that with over 84 million hectares of arable land, Nigeria should not be grappling with poverty, food scarcity, or youth unemployment. According to him, the country’s agricultural potential is being wasted, not just due to governance failures, but because of widespread inaction among its citizens.

“Whenever the issue of poor food production in Nigeria arises, the default reaction is to blame the government,” “People point to insecurity in the major food-producing regions and the lack of government support for farmers.”Christian noted.

While acknowledging that the government holds responsibility,particularly in ensuring security ,Christian questioned why arable plots in urban areas remain uncultivated if rural farmland is deemed unsafe.

He argued that even as efforts continue to bring about better governance across Nigeria and Africa, citizens must develop the resilience to tackle societal challenges, including food insecurity, through individual and collective action.

“If people, especially those living in urban centres, cultivated the unused land in their backyards and neighborhoods, we would see a significant increase in food availability.

“Every Nigerian city has a notable amount of underutilized land. If you live in one, I challenge you to identify an undeveloped property nearby, contact the owner, lease it for a few months or years, and see what’s possible.

“With vertical farming and other advanced, easily accessible techniques, we can grow more food in smaller spaces.”he said.

Christian, the Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Teva Foods, shared insights from the company’s ongoing agricultural ventures.

“By optimizing crop selection and farm management, Teva Foods has successfully demonstrated how six plots of land can yield more produce than the traditional two-hectare model” he added.

He noted that the government’s inability to adequately address food insecurity has created a vast opportunity for private sector innovation.

“Private sector actors can fill the gap and do so more efficiently than government ever could.”

“Some of us need to literally get our hands on the plough, grow healthy food, and create employment,” “So I challenge you should stop blaming the government and take action, no matter how small. And if you are too busy to farm yourself, support those who are doing it.”he stated.

Teva Foods, a social enterprise dedicated to organic food production, climate-smart agriculture, and systemic solutions to unemployment and food insecurity, is leading several projects across Africa. The organization aims to pioneer an agricultural revolution on the continent, promoting ethical, innovative, and sustainable farming practices.

Christian revealed Teva’s long-term vision: to feed the continent with wholesome meals, create employment, and train the next generation of young and smart farmers.

“Teva’s cluster farming investment programmes have been recognized as high-impact opportunities.

“They generate measurable returns while promoting sustainable agriculture and delivering tangible value to underserved communities.”he added.