FOOD INSECURITY/ACUTE HUNGER, WITH SOUTH EAST IN FOCUS: THE SALIENT POINTS

Abstract

African continent especially the ones that are blessed with arable lands unlike others that are grappling with desert encroachment and drought are presently among the league of nations that suffer food shortage and its attendant effect of acute hunger. Although the ominous signs have been there decades ago after the collapse of the oil boom that comes with the reduction of oil export of various nations by OPEC which Nigeria is part of. The effect of this mono-economy is still taking its toll on Nigerians most especially the South Eastern part of this country that depends much on the insecurity ridden Northern part of Nigeria for their agricultural products. Year after year, prices of food items continue to soar from the third quarter of the year 2023, this reaches its crescendo at the first quarter of the year 2024: prices of food items are up by over 400% and still going up. Staple foods like yam, beans, rice, vegetables and cassava with its by-products: garri and fufu are all beyond the reach of everyone not just the common man as it is generally believed before. Now, no one is talking about sumptuousness but to have food on their tables devoid of meat. This work takes a retrospect of Igbo agricultural prowess, looks into the unheeded primary source of hunger in Igbo South East Nigeria with a focus on Anambra state, itinerant nature of the Igbo, the sharp drift in Igbo norms that turns out unproductive workforce and dwarfing the think home spirit. This paper brings the fact that whatever any Igbo man or woman is at the moment, they are first farmers and with this mindset, together, collectively will mitigate the issue of food insecurity and acute hunger by complementing their trade with the basic which is farming. The researcher will use the food security theory of 1996 by scholars like Amartya Sen.