Stakeholders in the health and climate space have said that lack of actionable plans to strengthen the food security chain amid the climate change crisis, may lead to dire consequences.
They said this during a panel session on “Addressing Climate Impacts on Nutrition and Food Security” at the 10th edition of Future of Health Conference on Thursday, October 24, 2024, in Abuja.
The conference, organised by Nigeria Health Watch, is themed, “From Evidence to Action: Building resilience at The Climate-Health Nexus”.
Dr Dolapo Fasawe, Mandate Secretary, Health Services and Environment Secretariat of the Federal Capital Territory, said that climate change undoubtedly had adverse effects on all aspects of food security, including availability, access, utilisation and stability.
She said that for food security objectives to be realised, all four highlighted dimensions must be fulfilled simultaneously.
“On the contrary, Nigeria is unable to fulfil these dimensions, leading to food insecurity.”
Citing a 2023 Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) report on “Climate Action and Nutrition – Pathways to Impact”, Fasawe said that climate change also impacted the nutritional quality of available foods.
She said increased atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) levels have been shown to reduce the concentrations of essential nutrients such as iron, protein, and zinc in staple crops like rice, maize, wheat, and potatoes.
“Reduced levels of these micronutrients in food crops will drive micronutrient deficiencies and poor nutrition outcomes, particularly among low-income communities and women and children as the most vulnerable.”
She, however, called for the adoption of climate-smart agricultural practices, including investment in research and development of climate-adapted crops and technologies.
She also called for diversification of diets to promote dietary choices that enhanced nutrition, reduced reliance on mono-cropping systems and support agrobiodiversity.
“Implementing strategies to reduce post-harvest losses and improve food distribution systems will minimise environmental harm, address food loss and waste, and ultimately enhance food security.”
On his part, Mr. Samuel Onuigbo, the Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Climate Change at the eight assembly, said that the Climate Change Act talked about the importance of agriculture, the environment, mines and water resources.
This, he said, was to ensure that Nigeria employed a holistic approach to the issue.
According to him, the holistic approach will help to tackle issues of nutrition and food security.
“This is because if you don’t deal with the impacts of climate change, you will not know that it has affected food, water, and the environment.
“So together, these things are structured in such a way that everyone is involved, and all hands must be on deck for us to secure food security.”
The Country Director, Care International, Dr Hussaini Abdu, said that one major way to respond to climate change was to ensure that high levels of investments and mobilisation on the issue were carried out.
Abdu noted that there was need for a more coordinated response to the situation, with the private sector as a key player.
By Folasade Akpan
