The World Food Programme (WFP) has disclosed that plants like moringa, hibiscus and cowpeas can earn the Lake Chad, billions in revenue with improved peace and agricultural potential of the region. This piece of information was given by the Country Representative of WFP, David Steveson, at the 5th Lake Chad Governors’ Forum, held in Maiduguri, Borno State.
“The economic potential of crop agriculture, investment in crops such as cowpeas, moringa and hibiscus would generate billions of dollars in revenue for the region. The African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA) provides an opportunity to boost regional trade and economic recovery, if agriculture and livestock production are revived”, he said. Steveson informed that the Lake Chad region has a comparative advantage in lives considering how it once supported one of the largest livestock populations from the West, to Central Africa.
The WFP boss noted that with regional cooperation and political will to revitalise agriculture, the region will tackle its food insecurity and feed nations. He regretted that, with such agricultural resources that nature had blessed the region, over seven million people still face food shortages, as “more than three million others were displaced due to prolonged conflict and environmental degradation”.
Steveson, however, advised Nigeria, Niger, Chad, Cameroon and regional organisations, on the need for stronger partnerships and policies that will take farming, livestock production and fishery to the next level while advocating for migration from outdated farming practices to modern techniques that can maintain the ecosystem and boost food production.
