The World Food Programme (WFP) has called for regional cooperation to reinvigorate agriculture to tackle food insecurity in the Lake Chad region.
Its Country Representative, David Steveson said this at the 5th Lake Chad Governors’ Forum, on Thursday in Maiduguri, Borno.
Stevenson also called for concerted efforts to restore ecosystem which was severely affected by climate change and human activities.
According to Steveson, over seven million people face food shortages, and mire than three million others displaced due to prolonged conflict and environmental degradation.
“The Lake Chad Basin has shrunk to just 10 per cent of its original size over the past 60 to 70 years, impacting livelihoods that depend on agriculture, livestock and fisheries,” he said.
He said that between 80 to 90 per cent of the 50 million population in the region depended on farming, pastoralism, and fishing, lamenting that these industries suffered from poor infrastructure, insecurity and environmental challenges.
“The Lake Chad region, once supported one of the largest livestock population in West and Central Africa, with millions of pastoralists depending on it, however, these resources have dwindled, worsening poverty and food insecurity.
“The economic potential of crop agriculture, investment in crops such as cowpeas, moringa and hibiscus could 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.
He, therefore, urged governments to implement sustainable agricultural practices and invest in environmental conservation to reverse decades of land degradation by addressing the United Nations Decade on Ecosystem Restoration (2021-2030).
“We have five years left to align with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and restore degraded ecosystems. With strong political commitment, scientific expertise, and community involvement, we can make significant progress,” he said.
On the controversial inter-basin water transfer project from the Congo Basin to Lake Chad, Stevenson described it as a “medium-term dream”, citing the enormous cost estimates ranging from $5 billion to $100 billion.
“While the project remains a long-term goal, we must focus on immediate solutions such as sustainable irrigation, efficient water management, and climate smart agriculture,” he said.
Stevenson stressed the need for strong partnerships between Nigeria, Chad, Cameroon, Niger, and regional organisations such as the Lake Chad Basin Commission (LCBC), to develop coordinated policies for agriculture, livestock and fisheries.
“We must move away from outdated farming practices and embrace modern techniques that can maintain the ecosystem while boosting food production,” he said.
He also advocated for the establishment of a regional framework for livestock and crop development to ensure food security and economic stability in the basin.
The WFP official urged governments, development partners and international organisations to increase investments in food security, healthcare and infrastructure, adding that the effort was critical to stabilising the region.
“We must act now, food insecurity, displacement and lack of medical services are pressing challenges that require urgent intervention. With strong partnerships and the right policies, the Lake Chad Basin can recover and thrive again,” he said. (NAN)
