The Role Of Agriculture In Food Security In Nigeria

Agriculture plays a pivotal role in ensuring food security in Nigeria. This nation faces significant challenges in its quest to provide sufficient and nutritious food for its rapidly growing population. The agricultural sector, which employs a substantial portion of the population, is central to the country’s efforts to combat food insecurity, poverty, and malnutrition. However, despite its importance, the sector faces numerous challenges that must be addressed to realize its full potential in contributing to national food security.

Agricultural Production and Food Security

Nigeria's agricultural sector is critical for food production and the overall economy, contributing about 25% of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and employing approximately 70% of the labor force. The sector's importance is underscored by its role in producing the food staples that comprise the Nigerian diet, including maize, rice, sorghum, cassava, and yams. However, agricultural productivity in Nigeria is often hampered by factors such as inadequate access to modern farming inputs, poor infrastructure, and limited access to credit for smallholder farmers.

Recent developments have shown that increasing agricultural productivity is crucial for food security. The Federal Government of Nigeria, recognizing this, has declared a state of emergency on food security in 2024. The goal is to ramp up food production, improve affordability, and ensure accessibility across the country. A significant part of this strategy involves expanding the National Food Security Council to include key state governors who contribute to the country's food production. This expansion is expected to coordinate efforts better and ensure the timely delivery of essential farming inputs, such as high-yield seeds, fertilizers, and credit to farmers.

Climate-Smart Agriculture and Resilience

Climate change poses a severe threat to agricultural productivity in Nigeria, with increasingly erratic weather patterns affecting crop yields. In response, initiatives like Propcom+ have been launched to promote climate-smart agricultural practices that enhance resilience among farmers, particularly in climate-affected regions. These practices are designed to increase productivity, improve livelihoods, and reduce emissions, all while protecting natural ecosystems. For instance, the adoption of sustainable farming techniques is being scaled up in states like Kano, Jigawa, and Kaduna, which are crucial to Nigeria’s food security.

Moreover, the Nigerian government is also focusing on the integration of technology into agriculture to boost efficiency and productivity. This includes leveraging data to inform agricultural practices and improve decision-making among farmers, which is critical for adapting to changing climatic conditions. The focus on climate-smart agriculture underscores the need for sustainable practices that can help secure food systems in the face of environmental challenges.

Challenges and the Way Forward

Despite these efforts, Nigeria's food security is still threatened by several factors, including insecurity in agricultural regions, limited infrastructure, and the impact of global economic shocks. For example, the ongoing conflict in parts of the country has disrupted farming activities and displaced millions of people, exacerbating food insecurity. Additionally, the lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and the global food crisis, partly triggered by the Russia-Ukraine war, have led to significant food inflation, making it more difficult for Nigerians to afford basic foodstuffs.

Addressing these challenges requires a coordinated and sustained effort. The Nigerian government, alongside private sector players and international partners, must continue to invest in agricultural research, infrastructure, and technology to boost productivity and ensure that the food produced reaches all corners of the country. Furthermore, strengthening the security architecture to protect farmlands and farmers is essential for ensuring uninterrupted agricultural production.

Conclusion

Agriculture remains a cornerstone of Nigeria's strategy for achieving food security. By focusing on increasing productivity, promoting climate-smart practices, and addressing systemic challenges, Nigeria can make significant strides toward ensuring that every citizen has access to sufficient, safe, and nutritious food. The path forward will require collaboration across all levels of government, the private sector, and international partners to build a resilient agricultural system capable of withstanding future challenges.