Attainment of sustainable food security in Nigeria: the role of libraries
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/IDD-02-2022-0015 |
| Published date | 04 November 2022 |
| Date | 04 November 2022 |
| Pages | 143-150 |
| Subject Matter | Library & information science,Library & information services,Lending,Document delivery,Collection building & management,Stock revision,Consortia |
| Author | Clement Ola Adekoya,Isioma Alexis Ureki,Adesola Victoria Alade |
Attainment of sustainable food security in
Nigeria: the role of libraries
Clement Ola Adekoya
Akinbo Adesomoju Library, Olusegun Agagu University of Science and Technology, Okitipupa, Nigeria
Isioma Alexis Ureki
College Library, Federal College of Education Technical Asaba, Asaba, Nigeria, and
Adesola Victoria Alade
Akinbo Adesomoju Library, Olusegun Agagu University of Science and Technology, Okitipupa, Nigeria
Abstract
Purpose –The quest for sustainable food security (SFS) is fundamental to United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. In furtherance of their
pivotal role in providing the required information resources in support of education and research, librari es are expected to assist the economy in
ensuring SFS. The purpose of this study is to investigate how libraries provide information to support researc h in agriculture towards the attainment
of SFS in Nigeria.
Design/methodology/approach –Descriptive research design was used for the study. Interview and questionnaire were used as the instruments
of data collection.
Findings –This study found that the extent of use of library information resources for SFS in Nigeria is high. Libraries, though facing some
challenges, contribute significantly to the attainment of food security in Nigeria. It was recommended that libraries should intensify efforts to
embark on media literacy programmes and provide information resources for research on agriculture and food production with a view to actualising
food security goals specified in Sustainable Development Goals. Libraries should be well-funded to acquire the relevant information resources to aid
research into food security and end hunger and poverty across the world.
Practical implications –This study suggests having better sponsored libraries that can perform as required in advancing agricultural information
needs.
Originality/value –This study is a creative attempt to know how libraries can contribute to SFS through the provision of information to farmers and
lecturers in agriculture.
Keywords Libraries, Food security, Information resources, Nigeria, Sustainable food security, Farmers
Paper type Research paper
Introduction
There has been a continuous monumentalpressure on libraries
all over the world to play a significant role and effectively
support research by agricultural scientists, farmers, academics,
agricultural agencies, agricultural organisations and other
professionals in agriculture. Such support is expected to help
tremendously in sustainabledevelopment of some vital areas of
the economy such as food security, agricultural education,
ending poverty and hunger.Sustainable food security (SFS) is a
goal central to agriculture scientists, farmers, countries and
organisations such as the Economic Community of West
African States, African Union, European Union, United
Nations (UN) and Foodand Agricultural Organisation (FAO).
Libraries are expected to contribute immensely towards
achieving the goal. Given a target date of 2030,the UN sets 17
interdependent and interrelated goals under the Sustainable
Development Goals (SDGs) initiative to create a sustainable
future for all and sundry on the planet (Okuonghae and
Igbinovia, 2019). As a global agendum that 193 countries
mutually consented to under the UN, the SDGs initiative is a
strategic framework for the future (Blessinger et al., 2018).
SDGs are a sustainable development plan of the UN in the
United Nations 2030 Agenda to ensure an improvedand more
assured futureby guaranteeing SFS for all nations of the world.
SDGs deal with the universal challenges confronting
mankind. The challenges include poverty, environmental
degradation, climate change, peace and justice, etc. The
development framework, with its 17 goals and 169 targets, is
the global paramount arrangement to ensure an improved
world for all and sundry by 2030 (IREX, 2016).The goals spur
a worldwide campaign to eradicatepoverty in its different facets
and guarantee that all people enjoy peace and prosperity by
2030. Upon its adoption in 2015 by all UN member states, it
was acknowledged that eradicating poverty is contingent on
strengthening the global economy and addressing some
The current issue and full text archiveof this journal is available on Emerald
Insight at: https://www.emerald.com/insight/2398-6247.htm
Information Discovery and Delivery
51/2 (2023) 143–150
© Emerald Publishing Limited [ISSN 2398-6247]
[DOI 10.1108/IDD-02-2022-0015]
Received 16 February 2022
Revised 1 April 2022
30 May 2022
30 June 2022
Accepted 7 September 2022
143
To continue reading
Request your trial