The World Bank has forecasted that persistent insecurity, armed conflicts, and worsening livelihoods will continue to afflict local government areas in Borno, Kaduna, Katsina, Sokoto, Yobe, Zamfara states, and the far north of Adamawa State in Nigeria until May 2024. The grim prediction comes as the global financial institution highlighted the constraints of poor macroeconomic conditions on access to agricultural inputs in the country, subsequently affecting cereal production.
According to the World Bank’s latest ‘Food Security Update,’ the estimated cereal production for the 2023/24 crop year in West and Central Africa is expected to be 76.5 million tons. This reflects a two percent decrease from the previous season but a three percent increase from the average over the last five years. The countries most significantly contributing to this decline are Chad, Mali, Niger, and Nigeria.
The World Bank pointed out, “Projections indicate a decline in production from last year in Chad, Mali, Niger, and Nigeria. This decrease is attributed to dry spells during the growing season and insecurity that limited access to cropland in Chad, Mali, and Niger, and to poor macroeconomic conditions that have restricted access to agricultural inputs in Nigeria.”
The report underscores the multifaceted challenges impacting food security in the region, including climatic factors, security issues, and economic constraints. The prolonged insecurity in several Nigerian states adds an additional layer of complexity to the already challenging situation.
As the affected regions grapple with these issues, attention will likely be directed toward coordinated efforts by local and national authorities, international organizations, and communities to address both immediate and long-term challenges to ensure sustained food security in the face of adversity.
