The Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) has issued a warning that approximately 2.6 million Nigerians residing in Borno, Sokoto, Zamfara States, and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) could encounter a food crisis between June and August 2024.
The disclosure was made during the presentation of the October to November round of the Cadre Harmonise food security and early warning analysis in Abuja.
FAO’s Country Representative, Dominique Kouacou, revealed these concerning projections. Dr Abubakar Suleiman, Assistant FAO Representative, Programme, represented him during the presentation.
News About Nigeria gathered that the Cadre Harmonise (CH) analysis covered 26 states and the FCT to evaluate the food security situation and provide insights into future prospects.
This looming crisis arrives on the heels of an exceptionally challenging season marked by various setbacks.
These challenges encompassed persistent security threats, including insurgency and banditry, natural resource-based conflicts, elevated food and agricultural input costs due to inflation, and severe dry spells affecting some states shortly after the onset of rains.
Dr Ernest Umakhihe, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, emphasised that the analysis was conducted and reviewed by a cadre of highly skilled professionals from the CH analysis task force over the preceding two weeks.
He highlighted that the results of this CH analysis cycle coincide with ongoing efforts at all government levels to invigorate Nigeria’s economy.
While acknowledging the daunting challenges, he asserted that these challenges could be overcome.
He pointed to external factors such as the continued global economic repercussions of the COVID-19 pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine war, which is disrupting food supply chains and elevating input and food prices.
The removal of petroleum subsidies has intensified these pressures, leading to food inflation and increased consumer price indices.
Dr. Umakhihe further noted that environmental and human factors, including climate change, displacements due to insecurity, and seasonal flooding patterns, remain persistent concerns.
These disruptions have implications for food consumption habits, pushing a significant portion of Nigeria’s population to rely on unsustainable coping strategies.
The Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security is unwavering in its commitment to lead and support the CH process in Nigeria.
Dr. Umakhihe emphasised that by the end of 2024, the ministry intends to mainstream all 36 states in the Cadre Harmonise analysis.
