Nigeria’s Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Abubakar Kyari, has attributed the country’s projected food insecurity crisis to climate change, irregular rainfall patterns and the Super El Niño weather phenomenon.

Kyari explained that changing weather conditions and prolonged dry seasons had disrupted agricultural activities across the country, making it increasingly difficult for farmers who depend on rainfall to determine suitable planting periods.

In a statement addressing the country’s food production challenges, the minister identified climate-related disruptions as major factors affecting agricultural output and threatening food availability.

“Food insecurity is caused by Super El Niño and climate change. It is affecting our farms and food production,” Kyari said.

He noted that unpredictable rainfall and extended dry spells had affected traditional farming practices, with consequences for crop cultivation and agricultural productivity.

Federal Government Outlines Measures to Address Food Insecurity

The minister said President Bola Tinubu’s administration was implementing several agricultural interventions aimed at increasing domestic food production and reducing the impact of climate-related challenges.

According to Kyari, the government is expanding the distribution of fertilisers and other agricultural inputs to farmers while increasing access to tractors and modern farming equipment.

He also identified irrigation development, dry-season farming, agricultural loans and the construction of storage and food-processing facilities as part of the government’s strategy to strengthen the country’s agricultural sector.

Kyari maintained that expanding irrigation and dry-season cultivation would help reduce farmers’ dependence on unpredictable rainfall and improve food production throughout the year.

Improved Security Expected to Boost Agricultural Production

The agriculture minister also highlighted improvements in security across some farming communities, saying the development had encouraged farmers who previously abandoned their farmlands to return to cultivation.

He specifically mentioned Marte and Guzamala local government areas in Borno State, where improved security conditions had reportedly enabled government officials to conduct the Cadre Harmonisé food security assessment.

Kyari explained that insecurity had previously prevented officials from accessing the communities to collect the necessary information for the assessment.

He said the improved situation had created opportunities for agricultural activities to resume in areas previously affected by insecurity.

The minister’s comments come amid growing concerns about Nigeria’s food supply, agricultural productivity and the ability of vulnerable households to afford essential food items.

He maintained that the government’s interventions in agricultural financing, mechanisation, fertiliser distribution and irrigation were intended to strengthen food production and improve the country’s food security situation.