Experts have warned that inconsistent annual rainfall in Nigeria could significantly impact food harvests in 2024 and beyond. This issue, coupled with ongoing insecurity, poses a serious threat to food security in the country.
In separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on August 23, 2024, experts highlighted the potential repercussions of erratic rainfall patterns on agriculture. Gloria Bulus, an environmental expert and founder of the Bridge-that-Gap Initiative, stated that inconsistent rainfall would likely lead to poor crop yields.
Bulus explained, “The inconsistencies in annual rainfall mean we will also experience poor yields. Certain crops need to be planted and harvested at specific times to thrive. If rainfall disrupts these timings, it will affect crop harvests and lead to food shortages.”
She added, “If crops are meant to be harvested while it’s still raining, it can destroy the harvest, thereby threatening food security. This situation will increase food shortages, poverty among farmers, and lead to higher food prices and poverty levels.”
Agriculture consultant Charles Idonije also emphasized that, besides rainfall inconsistencies, issues such as insecurity could further threaten food security. He noted that while Nigeria’s quality soil can retain groundwater, rain shortfalls and insurgencies like those from Boko Haram and herdsmen significantly impact farming.
Idonije remarked, “Food security challenges in Nigeria are less about natural factors and more about human-induced issues. The major factor against food security is the ongoing insurgency, which has severely disrupted agricultural activities.”
He further highlighted the need for improved infrastructure, including mechanized farming, irrigation systems, and better road networks, to mitigate these challenges.