The food Production crisis in Nigeria is a serious issue that has significant implications for the country’s economy and the livelihoods of the teeming population.
Nigeria is one of the most populous countries in Africa, with a population of over 200 million people. Therefore food security is very essential to the growth and development of the country.
In January, the United Nations (UNICEF) revealed that 25 million Nigerians are at risk of facing hunger between June and August 2023 (lean season), if no urgent action is not taken. This is according to the October 2022 Cadre Harmonisé, a Government led and UN-supported food and nutrition analysis carried out twice a year.
The report disclosed that there is a projected increase from the estimated 17 millions of people currently at risk of Hunger, which is as a result of low food production and other economic crises in the country.
One of the primary causes of the food production crisis in Nigeria is Climate change, as the country’s agricultural sector is reliant on rain-fed agriculture. Nigeria is located in the tropics and experiences seasonal rainfall, but the country has not harnessed these resources to maximize food production.
As a result, many Nigerian farmers struggle to produce enough food to meet the demands of the growing population.
Insecurity is another factor contributing to the food insecurity in Nigeria. In 2022 Nigeria farmers raised alarm over the invasion of terrorists and herders in their lands.
Prominent grain-producing states such as Niger, Ebonyi, Nasarawa, Bauchi and Kaduna are plundered by armed bandits, terrorists and marauding herders, Boko Haram insurgents, preventing farmers from accessing their farms.
Many farmers have been displaced and killed by terrorist groups, bandist, and other criminal elements, making it challenging for them to plant and harvest crops.
Moreover, inadequate infrastructure and access to finance, particularly for smallholder farmers, exacerbate the food production crisis in Nigeria.
Inadequate infrastructure like poor road networks, inadequate storage facilities, a lack of access to markets makes it difficult for farmers to transport and sell their produce.
In addition, smallholder farmers often lack Post harvest training and access to funds, making it challenging to invest in new technologies, machinery, and fertilizers that could improve productivity.
To resolve this problem, it will require significant investment in agriculture, especially in post harvest management training, Storage facilities as coldHubs, irritation and other critical infrastructure.
The government must also prioritize improving security and creating an enabling environment for smallholder farmers to thrive by providing access to finance, improved extension services and better markets for their products.