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Nigeria’s Worsening Food Crisis as Costs Triple

By
David Abi
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Nigeria’s Worsening Food Crisis as Costs Triple

Nigerians face a severe food crisis in the second half of the year due to skyrocketing input costs, worsening insecurity, and climate change impacts.

Rising Costs of Inputs:

  • The price of a 50kg NPK fertilizer has surged by 49% in one year to an average of N53,000, primarily due to the exchange rate crisis. This fertilizer, essential for smallholder farmers, relies on imported raw materials like potash, phosphate, and granular ammonium.
  • Urea fertilizer, though produced with local materials, saw its price rise by 117%, from N17,500 in 2023 to N38,000 in 2024.
  • Agrochemicals, such as herbicides like Glyview, have tripled in price from N7,500 to over N23,000.

Impact of Insecurity and Climate Change:

  • Security issues in key agricultural areas like Benue, Kaduna, and Plateau have driven farmers away from their lands, severely affecting crop and fish farming.
  • Climate change exacerbates the situation, with floods expected to hit 31 states and 148 local governments, according to the 2024 Annual Flood Outlook.

Challenges in Farming:

  • Farmers face increased costs in cultivating land, leading to reduced production areas and higher food prices.
  • The rainy season is expected to worsen the situation, driving food prices higher in the third quarter of 2024.

Government Response and Criticisms:

  • In July 2023, President Bola Tinubu declared a state of emergency on food security, promising immediate and long-term plans to address the crisis. However, average food prices have continued to rise, with food inflation hitting 40.6% in May 2024.
  • The government’s plans have been criticized for not adequately addressing the main issues, such as insecurity and comprehensive sector development, including livestock, forestry, and fishing.
  • Critics also highlight the lack of investment in agricultural research and nutrition, despite Nigeria having the highest burden of malnutrition in Africa and the second highest globally.

Call for Action:

  • Experts urge the government to restore security to allow farmers to return to their lands.
  • More resources should be allocated to finance agricultural projects and develop a more holistic approach to tackling the food crisis.

Conclusion:

Nigeria’s food crisis is deepening as input costs soar, insecurity disrupts farming, and climate change brings more challenges. The government’s response has so far been inadequate, and urgent, bold actions are needed to mitigate the impending food shortage and rising hunger levels.

 

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