President Bola Tinubu’s ambitious plans to combat inflation and boost food production face significant challenges due to widespread insecurity in northern Nigeria. The persistent activities of bandits and terrorists in the region have forced farmers to abandon their lands, leading to disruptions in agricultural activities and a growing food security crisis.
Insecurity’s Impact on Farming Across States
Zamfara State
- Over 80% of farmlands remain uncultivated due to banditry, kidnappings, and extortion.
- Farmers face levies imposed by bandits to access their farms.
- Stories of repeated kidnappings, ransom payments, and destroyed crops have pushed many farmers to abandon agriculture entirely.
Niger State
- The government has warned farmers about Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) planted by bandits.
- Clearance operations are required before farming activities can safely resume, further delaying agricultural production.
Benue State
- Once a leading yam producer, Benue faces declining output as farmers abandon fields due to attacks by herders and bandits.
- Persistent insecurity in the Sankera axis (Logo, Ukum, Katsina Ala LGAs) has devastated yam and rice farming activities.
Plateau State
- Entire farmlands have been destroyed by bandits, affecting key crops like Irish potatoes and wheat.
- The All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN) in Plateau has called for urgent government intervention to protect farmlands.
Sokoto and Katsina States
- Frequent banditry has displaced farmers, with some areas seeing a complete halt to agricultural activities.
- Farmers report extortion and attacks, even on those attempting to harvest crops.
Borno State
- Renewed insurgent attacks have disrupted farming in areas like Baga and Kukawa.
- Farmers fear venturing to their fields, exacerbating food insecurity in the state.
Government Initiatives and Challenges
Budget Allocation
- The 2025 budget allocates ₦636.1 billion to the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, a 75% increase from 2024.
- Key funding areas include:
- ₦127 billion for agricultural equipment.
- ₦127 billion for the Renewed Hope Fertilizer Support Programme.
- ₦132 billion for the National Agricultural Development Fund (operating with a deficit requiring external financing).
Security Measures
- The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), through its Agro Rangers unit, is tasked with protecting farmers and their lands. However, the unit faces challenges such as:
- Limited manpower.
- Insufficient logistical resources, including drones and motorcycles.
- The All Farmers’ Association of Nigeria (AFAN) has urged the government to prioritize insecurity as a critical threat to food production goals.
Recommendations and Outlook
- Strengthening Security: Addressing insecurity in key agricultural regions is vital to preventing further disruptions in food production.
- Incentives and Support: Smallholder farmers require access to credit, fertilizers, and other resources to sustain their operations.
- Leveraging Technology: Investment in surveillance tools like drones and CCTV can enhance the effectiveness of Agro Rangers.
- Collaborative Efforts: Federal and state governments, along with security agencies, must coordinate efforts to secure farmlands and promote agricultural resilience.
Without decisive action to curb insecurity, President Tinubu’s goals for reducing inflation and ensuring food security may remain unattainable, with dire consequences for Nigeria’s economy and population.
