The Ambassador of Sweden to Nigeria, Annika Hahn-Englund, has said that Nigeria is vulnerable to global shocks because the country imports most of its food.
She made this call while speaking at the Nordic Food Fest in Abuja. The Nordic countries are Norway, Denmark, Finland, and Sweden.
“Despite Nigeria’s lush arable land, many people lack access to nutritious food.
“Nigeria imports most of its food, making it well vulnerable to global shocks like the Russian illegal invasion of Ukraine, the war between Israel and Hamas, and and climate-related disasters such as droughts and floodings,” she said.
She advised Nigeria to invest in technology to improve its agriculture, adding that: “Nordic countries invest in climate, smart agriculture, sustainable energy infrastructure and rural connectivity, linking produce to market for prosperity.”
On his part, the Ambassador of Denmark to Nigeria, Jens Ole Bach Hansen, called for new ways for Nigeria and the Nordic countries to increase food production as the countries’ populations continue to grow.
“Some of the principles behind the new Nordic cuisine has been the use of local, natural and seasonal produce as a foundation for new additions.
“These principles may also need to guide us as we face a planet that in a few years will have to produce food enough for 9 billion people and 400 million just here in Nigeria.
“To match the needs of the growing population as much food has to be produced on the planet in the next 40 years as was produced in the last 8000 years, and our planet is already struggling.
“Therefore, we need to find new ways to sustainably increase food production and at the same time balance how it affects the environment.
We need cooperation between the Nordic countries and Nigeria and Africa’s countries.
“We need to exchange knowledge. We need technology, and we need innovative solutions.
On her part, the Ambassador of Finland to Nigeria, Sanna Selin, said Nordic food is known for its purity throughout the food chain, adding that its hygiene, traceability and accountability are among the best in the world.
She said: “In Nordic countries, environmental issues and animal welfare are our primary focus areas. Nordic countries collaborate by investing in shared research and innovation projects that focus on developing sustainable food solutions in close cooperation in our industries.
“When we talk about food and innovation, a lot has been done in the last 10 years, and some of the solutions are actually quite amazing, plant-based needs. Alternatives are being developed that mimic the taste, the texture and the appearance of the real meat.”