By Christian ABURIME

We do not live to eat, but we need to eat to live. Thus, food security is a fundamental aspect of societal well-being, encompassing the availability, access, and utilisation of nutritious food for everyone. Also, it is not just about preventing hunger; it is about fostering dignity, justice, and prosperity within communities that make up a state and a nation.

As the celebrity Spanish and American chef, restaurateur, and humanitarian José Andrés, founder of World Central Kitchen, also aptly stated, “Food is national security. Food is the economy. It is employment, energy, and history. Food is everything”. This highlights the multifaceted role that food plays in shaping our societies and economies.

Naturally, therefore, addressing food insecurity is a moral imperative in any society. The need for immediate action to alleviate hunger and ensure that every individual has access to sufficient food is sacrosanct. Yet, it calls for the wisdom of collective action as echoed in the words of Irish singer-songwriter and activist Bono, who stated, “If you want to eliminate hunger, everybody has to be involved”.

The foregoing proposition, advocating that solutions to hunger and economic hardship require the collaboration of all sectors of society, from government and businesses to individuals and communities, is why the Governor of Anambra State, Professor Chukwuma Charles Soludo, CFR, has lately launched “Farm to Feed Campaign”. Coming at a time of nationwide hunger protests against economic hardship sweeping across Nigeria, Governor Soludo’s initiative offers a promising path forward, underscoring the power of agriculture as a sustainable solution to hunger, both in the short and long term.

While many regions in Nigeria have seen citizens take to the streets in protest against food inflation and economic challenges, Anambra State is taking a different approach. Governor Soludo’s campaign is a call to reasonable action, urging Ndi Anambra to be part of the solution rather than merely lamenting the problem. This proactive stance embodies the resilient spirit of the Igbo people at large and offers valuable lessons for the rest of the country.

The “Farm to Feed Campaign”, if faithfully embraced by Anambra people and others, promises several immediate benefits. By encouraging citizens to utilise every available piece of land for farming, the initiative aims to increase food supply within months, potentially easing the pressure on food prices. The campaign will also foster a sense of shared responsibility and community spirit, with local government chairmen, churches, and other stakeholders actively involved in promoting farming.

As more people engage in micro-farming, be it in their domestic backyards or other available spaces in rural and urban centres, it creates opportunities for additional income generation, helping to alleviate economic hardship at the individual level. This is not to talk of skill development through which the initiative provides an opportunity for citizens to acquire or enhance farming skills, which can be valuable long-term assets.

Beyond short-term gains, Governor Soludo’s “Farm to Feed Campaign” is also laying the groundwork for lasting change. By promoting widespread engagement in agriculture, Anambra State is working towards long-term food security, reducing dependence on imports and buffering against future food inflation crises.

Economic diversification is another long-term benefit. The focus on agriculture can contribute to diversifying the state’s economy, creating a more resilient economic structure less vulnerable to shocks in any single sector. Besides, Governor Soludo’s call to make farming and agriculture “the new national pride” could spark a cultural transformation, elevating the status of agriculture in society as a trendy occupation like ICT, acting and others.

There is also the advantage of environmental sustainability with the initiative, which includes the distribution of palm and coconut seedlings being done by the Soludo administration long before now. The “Farm to Feed Campaign” has a great potential for promoting sustainable agricultural practices that can have long-term positive environmental impacts. By encouraging youth participation in agriculture, the campaign goes further to address unemployment issues while ensuring the continuity of farming knowledge and practices.

So, as Nigeria contends with severe economic challenges and food inflation, Governor Soludo has swung into action with a practical solution. The “Farm to Feed Campaign” offers a bright ray of hope and pragmatism. If embraced by all, it can transform the current crisis into an opportunity for growth, self-reliance, and nation building, turning Nigeria’s vast arable lands into a source of abundance rather than scarcity. Governor Soludo’s words ring true: “Let us get to work, every citizen, one at a time…be the change you desire.” This way, Nigeria may well find its path to food security and economic stability, one farm at a time.

Aburime is the Press Secretary to Governor Chukwuma Soludo