Facing Food Insecurity: Why Water Scarcity is Threatening Nigeria’s Crops

Kwalkwalawa, Nigeria – After farming for 20 years, Umaru Muazu is facing a tough challenge. Water for his crops is drying up. Once there was a river near his land, but now it’s just a muddy puddle. At 62, Muazu may have to give up farming entirely.

“Before, with a small farm, you could get a lot,” he lamented.

Climate change is hitting Nigeria hard, especially in Sokoto State. Longer dry seasons and extreme heat are drying up rivers, making it harder to grow crops like millet and maize. Although the wet season can bring heavy rains, it’s often too brief. The World Food Program warns that 31 million people in Nigeria are already food insecure. “After one shock, another follows,” says spokesperson Chi Lael.

Most of Nigeria’s food comes from smallholder farmers, who make up more than 80% of the agricultural workforce. Sadly, many farmers use only basic tools. They are struggling with lower yields due to inadequate infrastructure. Daniel Obiora, president of the All Farmers Association of Nigeria, points out that the government has not built enough dams to help farmers cope with climate challenges.

There’s not much data on the drying of smaller water sources, but farmers notice the trend worsening. In Adamawa State, changing rain patterns and rising temperatures affected over 3,000 acres, disrupting many livelihoods.

Other issues, like over-extraction of water and deforestation, are making things worse. Abdulsamad Isah, co-founder of Extension Africa, highlights these factors that contribute to drying rivers.

Nearby, Nasiru Bello grows onions but can’t rely on harvests. He resorts to pumping groundwater for his farm, which supports his family of 26. However, rising gas costs make this hard to manage. “The plants do not grow like they used to,” he says.

By 2025, Nigeria is expected to be the world’s third-most populous nation, with a projected population of 400 million by 2050. In response, the UN Food and Agriculture Organization is promoting climate-smart farming practices, like drip irrigation, which conserves water effectively.

Yusuf Isah Sokoto, a director at Umaru Ali Shinkafi Polytechnic, emphasizes the need for more education on climate change for farmers. He mentions that deforestation has led to a loss of two-thirds of the trees in Sokoto, raising local temperatures.

According to Nigeria’s statistics agency, the agricultural sector contributed 22% to the GDP in the second quarter of 2024, a drop from previous quarters. In contrast, food imports jumped by 136% within the same period.

In cities like Lagos, prices for northern crops have surged. For example, a head of cabbage has risen to 2,000 naira (about $1.2), which is nearly double its cost from a year ago. Agriculture minister Aliyu Abdullahi noted that many farmers can’t produce even half of what they used to.

The Nigerian government is calling for action. President Bola Tinubu has declared a food security emergency, pledging to activate 500,000 hectares of farmland. However, these plans remain unfulfilled.

With a growing population and rising prices, the future of farming in Nigeria remains uncertain. Solutions are critical, but clear pathways for effective implementation may be the next challenge for authorities.

For further insights into agricultural issues in Africa, visit AP News — Africa Pulse.

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Business, Climate and environment, Agriculture, World news, General news, Article, 121738489