Food Chemistry, Nutrition and Safety

Biography

Biography: Magaji Abdullahi

Abstract

In Nigeria most of the food quality, health and it is safety and other related activities were poorly co- ordinated and limited in scope. Ministries in States prepared many policies in which food security and nutrition were addressed from respective ministerial mandates. Several years ago, a national committee were established on food security and nutrition which were domiciled in ministry of science and technology to formulate a national food and nutrition policy even though the programme was transferred from ministry to another. Problems of food security health and quality as at now are more severe now than ever before due to several factors. It has been estimated that the percentage of house – holds in Nigeria facing food shortage and quality has risen to alarming rate. Malnutrition, hunger and hidden hunger and it is prevalence reached a peak which has never risen before. Consequently, insufficient action and attention has been paid to the issue of house hold food security especially in the rural areas where large segments of the population live. Currently the major causes of food insecurity, quality safety and health were due to increase of fuel prices which was increased to over 150% recently. Many people depend on fuel to irrigate their farms transport their farm produce to market and other crucial activities. This fuel price causes myriad problems due to heavy reliance of it for daily activities. Moreover, high cost of inputs such as pesticides, fertilizers and seeds were another big obstacle for food production and security. In some states like Borno, Jigawa, Kano, Bauchi and Katsina flooding has contributed immensely for low production, poor yield and low quality of several food items due to high moisture content. In Taraba state which was one of the leading rice producers in the country was affected by drought this year. Other problems that contributed for food security in Nigeria were lack of feeder roads, poor storage facilities, inadequate credit facilities and poor extension services in rural areas where most of the farmers dwell. Lack good quality food was root cause of biotic, abiotic diseases and even food non communicable diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular diseases, mental retardation etc, are also increase in Nigeria. Certain crops with low production cost like cassava has played important roles in Nigeria food security even though is poor in nutrients.