The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) has reported that the national average Cost of a Healthy Diet (CoHD) for May 2024 has risen to N1,041 per day, up 0.6 percent from N1,035 the previous month, with the possibility of the figures increasing due to constant inflationary pressure.
In its most recent report, the NBS explained that the CoHD is the least expensive combination of locally accessible food items that match global consistent food-based dietary and nutritional recommendations, implying that an average Nigerian spends N1,041 per day to maintain a balanced diet.
On regional basis, the South-East region recorded the highest cost per adult per day, at N1,189, compared to N919 in the North-West region. At the state level, Ebonyi, Abia and Anambra had the highest expenses at N1,225, N1,215 and N1,205 respectively, while Yobe, Jigawa and Kano witnessed the lowest costs at N907, N899 and N898.
A report by the Centre for the Study of the Economies of Africa (CSEA) indicated that these variances emphasize the differences between states in agricultural output, product availability and market prices. The CoHD has been rising consistently alongside general and food inflation, with starchy staples, legumes, nuts and seeds driving the increase.
CSEA advised that to effectively check the upward movement in CoHD, the Federal Government should increase investment in agriculture through farmer assistance programmes, stressing that these initiatives would boost domestic food production, which in turn, is expected to reduce the price of food items and increase households’ access to nutritious food.
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Meanwhile, the NBS National Agricultural Sample Census report, revealed that no fewer than 40.2 million agricultural families in Nigeria are engaged in various agricultural activities across the country.
According to the survey, 91 percent of agricultural households cultivated crops, with 35 percent focusing solely on crop cultivation and 48 percent raising livestock. Furthermore, 16 percent of families in 2022 raised cattle, 41.2 percent raised goats, 42.5 percent raised fowl, and only 5 percent are involved in fishing.
These data points indicate the prevalence of agriculture among Nigerian households and the diversity of their engagement in the agricultural industry. However, it is critical to empower these households to fully realize their potential and increase their contribution to the economy.
Government policies should prioritize increasing crop yields, providing resources for animal production, and boosting support for underserved industries such as fisheries. These steps would not only improve general rural lives, but would also strengthen Nigeria’s position in dealing with the country’s current acute food crisis.
