The Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) has raised a concerning alert, stating that a food crisis might affect around 2.6 million people in Borno, Sokoto, Zamfara States, and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) between June and August of 2024.
Dominique Kouacou, the FAO country representative, delivered this alarming projection during the presentation of the October to November round of the Cadre Harmonise food security and early warning analysis in Abuja, represented by Dr Abubakar Suleiman, Assistant FAO representative, Programme.
He said the analysis, conducted in 26 states and the FCT, revealed multiple challenges contributing to the imminent crisis, including persisting insecurity due to insurgency and banditry.
According to him, other factors encompassed conflicts over natural resources escalated food and agricultural input costs from high inflation, and severe dry spells following the onset of rains in certain regions.
Dr Ernest Umakhihe, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, emphasised that despite the challenging circumstances, efforts to revitalise the nation’s economy were underway at all government levels.
He pointed out global factors exacerbating the situation, including the lingering effects of COVID-19 on the economy, the disruption caused by the Russia-Ukraine conflict impacting food systems and input prices, and the removal of petroleum subsidies, escalating food inflation and consumer price index.
“Notable among them are the lingering negative impact of COVID-19 on the global economy and the Russia-Ukraine war, which is currently disrupting the food systems and spiking up input prices and food prices.
“The removal of petroleum subsidy has further heightened this pressure, resulting in food inflation and increases in the consumer price index,” he said.
The ministry expressed its commitment to lead and support the Cadre Harmonise (CH) process in Nigeria and pledged to encompass all 36 states in the CH analysis by the end of 2024.
