By Gabriel Ewepu

ABUJA – THE community of Persons With Disabilities, Wednesday, has been hit by excruciating hunger, and demanded inclusion in Federal and State Governments’ agricultural interventions.

Speaking with Vanguard on the precarious situation, the Secretary of the Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities, JONAPWD, Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Chapter, Christian Agbo, expressed pain of the non-inclusion of the over 35.5 million Nigerians with one form of disability or the other, which represents, 16 per cent of the entire population.

Agbo said it has not been really easy with PWDs as they often face higher rates of extreme poverty compared to those without disabilities, therefore, the need have heavily depended on food aids to survive and sustain themselves amid the biting hardship.

According to him the disability community has not been given the desired attention to access agricultural interventions as most of them engage in agribusiness, therefore, what they want is inclusive social welfare programmes, where the Government palliatives must specifically target PWDs to ensure they receive food aid and financial support.

Also they need employment and economic empowerment, which policies of the government promote job opportunities for PWDs, including in agriculture and entrepreneurship. Accessible agricultural programmes, whereby, the PWDs are included in farming schemes, grants, and subsidies to improve their food security, and also improved disability data collection, because the government needs better data on PWDs to ensure they are not left out of relief efforts.

He said: “As of now, there is no specific information indicating that President Bola Tinubu’s declarations on agriculture include direct benefits tailored for persons with disabilities.

“It is true that there has been some actions by Tinubu government that underscore a broader commitment to disability inclusion, specific initiatives within the agricultural sector have not been detailed. It would be beneficial to monitor future policy announcements for any agriculture-related programmes that address the needs of persons with disabilities.

“Persons with disabilities, PWDs, are disproportionately affected by hunger and poverty in Nigeria. Estimates suggest that over 35.5 million Nigerians, or 16 per cent of the population, have some form of disability. PWDs often face higher rates of extreme poverty compared to those without disabilities.

“Hunger has had a severe impact on Persons with Disabilities, PWDs, in Nigeria, especially during President Tinubu’s administration, as food insecurity continues to worsen due to inflation, insecurity, and climate change.

“Here are some key ways in which hunger has affected PWDs: Increased vulnerability to malnutrition and health complications; PWDs already face significant barriers in accessing healthcare, and malnutrition further worsens their conditions. Many PWDs require specialized nutrition due to their disabilities, but the rising cost of food makes this unaffordable. Malnutrition can also exacerbate physical and cognitive impairments, leading to further health deterioration.

“Economic hardship and lack of income opportunities; With rising food prices and economic downturns, many PWDs who depend on small businesses, begging, or social support struggle to afford basic meals. Unemployment rates among PWDs are high due to discrimination and lack of inclusive job opportunities, making it even harder for them to cope with the food crisis.

“Dependence on charity and food aid; Due to their limited financial resources, many PWDs rely on NGOs, religious organizations, and social welfare programs for food aid. However, these interventions are often inconsistent, leaving many without reliable food sources. Government palliative programs frequently fail to reach PWDs due to poor implementation and lack of disability-inclusive policies.

“Barriers to accessing farmland and agricultural resources; For PWDs engaged in farming, hunger is exacerbated by their exclusion from agricultural policies and funding opportunities. Many cannot access farmlands, improved seeds, or government agricultural programs due to physical inaccessibility, lack of awareness, or discrimination.

“Social exclusion and psychological impact; Hunger increases the social marginalization of PWDs. Many face neglect within their communities, as families prioritize feeding able-bodied members over PWDs. The stress of hunger also leads to mental health challenges such as depression and anxiety, further reducing their ability to seek help.”

Meanwhile, he (Agbo) explained the strategies used by PWDs to survive the harsh economic challenges, “Community and NGO support: Many disability rights organizations, such as JONAPWD and TAF Africa, The Qualitative Magazine among others occasionally provide food relief and advocate for better inclusion in social welfare programmes.

“Skill Acquisition and Small-Scale Businesses: Some PWDs engage in petty trading or handicrafts to survive, though economic instability makes this difficult; Family and Religious Support: Some rely on family members or religious institutions for food aid and survival strategies; and Advocacy for inclusive policies: Disability rights activists are pushing for PWDs to be included in government interventions, but implementation remains slow.”

However, on his advice to President Bola Tinubu and the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Sen Abubakar Kyari, he said government should develop a standalone agriculture intervention programme for persons with disabilities, mandating government-led agricultural programmes, including loan schemes, grants, and subsidies, have a specific quota for PWDs.

He also called for allocation of accessible farmland and infrastructure by designating government-supported accessible farmlands for PWD farming cooperatives by ensuring farm roads, irrigation systems, and storage facilities are designed to accommodate persons with mobility challenges.

Creating economic opportunities in agriculture for PWDs by establishing a special agricultural fund to support PWD entrepreneurs in agribusiness, whereby, facilitating market linkages to help PWD farmers sell their produce at fair prices.

Strengthening collaborations between the Ministry and PWD organizations, which partner with the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities, NCPWD, and disability rights groups to develop and implement inclusive agricultural policies.