Lagos, Nigeria — The agricultural heart of Nigeria is under siege, with farmers in Kaduna State and beyond confronting a grim reality where the peril of violence intertwines with the very act of sowing and harvesting. This month, the tragic shooting of nine farmers in Birnin Gwari, Kaduna State, has underscored the vulnerability of Nigeria’s food producers, who are becoming frontline casualties of the nation’s insecurity crisis.
The escalating food insecurity in Nigeria is a triple threat, encompassing violence, kidnappings, and the specter of famine.
In Borno State, the situation is particularly dire, with 15,000 people on the brink of famine and 35 million Nigerians facing severe hunger during the lean season.
The presence of Agro Rangers, established by the Nigerian government to protect farmers from jihadist groups like Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), has been a mixed blessing. While they offer some level of security, their presence also instills a constant fear and uncertainty among farmers.
The Farmers’Union has warned of a potential food crisis in 2026, driven by a surge in farmer abductions across several states. These kidnappings pose a threat not only to the farmers but also to the national food supply, as many are forced to abandon their fields and halt production.
In response to the food supply issue, the Nigerian government has partnered with private investors to establish a cassava farming/processing industry in Ekiti State.
However, the success of such initiatives is uncertain in the face of ongoing insecurity and the growing threat of food insecurity.
The United Nations World Food Programme has projected that 35 million people are likely to experience severe hunger in Nigeria by 2026, the highest on the continent and the largest since the agency began recording data in Nigeria.
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) has also expressed concern, noting that the country faces one of the world’s most severe food crises, driven by armed conflict and the impact of climate variability.
As Nigeria’s farmers stand at the forefront of the battle against food insecurity, the nation’s future hangs in the balance.
The government, the international community, and farmers themselves must unite to address the root causes of this crisis and secure the right to food for all.
*Additional reporting by ImNews | Sources consulted: 5*
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This original article was produced by the ImNews editorial team
Source: Panafricanvisions
Source: Pan African Visions
