Food production in Nigeria is facing a severe decline as commercial farms across the country shut down due to escalating security challenges. Many farms along major highways, including the Abuja-Kaduna expressway, Abuja-Keffi-Jos expressway, and the Abuja-Lokoja highway, have become non-operational.
Farm owners attribute the closures to widespread banditry and kidnappings. A Kaduna State House of Assembly member, who wished to remain anonymous, confirmed abandoning his farm in Birnin Gwari LGA due to bandit activities. Similarly, Imam Hussaini Udawa, with a large farm on the Kaduna-Niger State boundary, has also ceased operations out of fear for his safety and that of his workers.
The shutdown of these farms has exacerbated food insecurity, with significant impacts on both food availability and employment. In Plateau State, a rice farmer abandoned 1,000 hectares of rice field in Shendam LGA following a kidnapping attempt. Additionally, a company near Abuja’s Gurara irrigation site has halted production due to security threats.
In Taraba and Benue States, farmers have been forced to leave their lands due to similar threats. Farmers in Yobe State face additional challenges with the government’s ban on fertiliser supply to prevent the production of Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), further affecting crop yields.
Architect Kabiru Ibrahim, National President of the All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), highlighted that commercial farming in the North Central, North West, and North East regions has partially or totally collapsed due to insecurity. Beyond security issues, high production costs, lack of sustainable credit, and low mechanization are also contributing to the decline.
Experts warn that the closure of these commercial farms is significantly contributing to the rising cost of food in Nigeria. They stress the need for government intervention to provide subsidies and ensure security for farmers to boost productivity and address the nation’s food crisis.
The Federal Ministry of Agriculture plans to deploy agro rangers from the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) to guard commercial farms nationwide. However, the impact of these measures remains to be seen.
