Nigeria’s agriculture sector faces significant challenges as farmers across the country report a decline in the production of staple foods, raising concerns about food security. The decrease in production is attributed to a myriad of factors, including flooding, inflation, insecurity, and the fluctuation of the Naira.
According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), there is a projected decrease in the production of rice, millet, cassava, maize, and soybeans in Nigeria for the year 2024. Despite Nigeria’s status as the highest producer of crops like cassava and maize globally, the lack of comprehensive data on production levels hampers policy and investment decisions.
Officials at the Ministry of Agriculture in Abuja pointed to external sources for data on food crop production levels, highlighting the government’s historical neglect of data gathering in the agricultural sector.
Recent projections indicate a fluctuating trend in the production of essential crops, with anticipated decreases in the 2023/2024 marketing year. The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) estimates that over 31.5 million people in Nigeria will face acute food insecurity between June and August 2024, representing a significant increase from previous projections.
Arc Kabir Ibrahim, the National President of the All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), expressed concerns over the challenges faced by farmers, including insecurity, low mechanization, soaring input costs, flooding, and increased labor expenses. In response, AFAN is advocating for sustainable subsidies for agricultural inputs and enhanced security measures to safeguard farmers.
Despite farmers’ optimism for the current planting season, challenges persist across various states. In Kwara State, farmers attribute the decline in crop production to lack of government interventions, prolonged dry spells, and security threats.
Similarly, Benue State faces decreased production due to herdsmen attacks and untimely distribution of farming inputs. In Plateau State, insecurity and input cost hikes exacerbate farmers’ woes.
In Osun State, farming activities have resumed following previous challenges, including alleged attacks on farmlands by cattle and pilfering natives. However, concerns linger about the adequacy of government measures to address these challenges.
Other states like Abia, Ekiti, and Sokoto report drastic reductions in crop production due to various factors such as diseases, lack of rain, poor dissemination of agricultural practices, and insecurity.
The decline in food production poses a significant threat to Nigeria’s food security, necessitating urgent interventions from government and stakeholders. With the livelihoods of farmers at stake, addressing these challenges becomes imperative to ensure sustained agricultural productivity and food availability for the growing population.