Bill Gates, Co-Chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, stated that Nigeria has the second-highest rate of food insecurity in the world.
He made this disclosure during a conversation with media practitioner Lara Adekoro, discussing the state of nutrition in Nigeria and across the African continent.
Gates explained that the situation has been exacerbated by climate change, among other factors.
He noted that climate change has led to the loss of arable land, causing food prices to soar.
“Nigeria today has the second highest rate of food insecurity on earth, and climate change is only accelerating the problem.
“Arable land has disappeared. Pests have wiped out harvests. And prices for staple foods have soared. Climate-related losses on many African farms are more than double those seen globally. The poorest farmers are the ones hit hardest, having to cope with more droughts, pests, and diseases, which in turn exacerbate food shortages, and push up food prices”, he added.
Gates said, “By 2050, climate change will condemn nearly 40 million more children to stunting—in addition to the 400 million children who already aren’t getting enough nutrients.”
He mentioned that his foundation has been collaborating with the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation to gain a better understanding of the climate-induced hunger crisis.
The positive news, he pointed out, is that the pace of innovation is increasing as rapidly as climate change.
“Our vision is an agricultural transformation driven by smallholder farmers who are equipped with the knowledge, tools, and technologies needed to improve their livelihoods,” he stated.
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