Insecurity Taking Toll on Agricultural Sector, Laments NSA
The National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, has raised the alarm over the devastating impact of insecurity on Nigeria’s agricultural sector, warning that the country’s food security is under serious threat if urgent action is not taken.
Ribadu made the statement on Thursday during a high-level stakeholders’ meeting in Abuja, where he highlighted the severe consequences of ongoing violence in rural areas on farming activities across the nation.
According to him, the worsening insecurity has displaced thousands of farmers, led to the abandonment of farmlands, and triggered a spike in food prices.
“The impact of insecurity on agriculture has been devastating. Farming, which remains the primary occupation for most Nigerians, has become a dangerous venture in many parts of the country. Entire communities have been forced to flee. Crops are left unharvested. Livestock is stolen. Our national food supply is in jeopardy,” the NSA said.
Agriculture remains the backbone of Nigeria’s rural economy, employing over 70 percent of the population. However, armed banditry, insurgency, kidnappings, and farmer-herder conflicts have made farming increasingly unsafe in states such as Benue, Kaduna, Zamfara, Katsina, and Niger. Farmers in many of these regions have abandoned cultivation due to persistent threats to their lives and property.
Recent data from the National Bureau of Statistics show food inflation has reached its highest point in decades, with basic staples like rice, maize, and tomatoes becoming unaffordable for many households.
Analysts say the combination of insecurity and inflation is deepening poverty and worsening Nigeria’s already fragile economy.
Ribadu called for coordinated efforts between federal security forces, local vigilante groups, and traditional institutions to reclaim farming areas from criminal elements. He stressed that tackling insecurity is not only about restoring law and order but is essential for sustaining economic growth and development.
“There can be no meaningful development if our people cannot farm in peace. There can be no food security if our farmers are in hiding. Agriculture must be protected, not just by policy but by boots on the ground,” he said.
The NSA also urged the federal and state governments to invest in rural security infrastructure and create support programs for displaced farmers. Stakeholders at the meeting echoed these concerns and called for special intervention funds, enhanced intelligence gathering, and rapid-response units to safeguard vulnerable communities.
As Nigeria enters another planting season, the government faces mounting pressure to ensure that farmers can return to their land safely. Ribadu concluded by warning that failure to act swiftly could worsen the food crisis and further destabilize the nation.
“We must not allow criminals to win. We must not let fear drive our farmers off their land. Protecting agriculture is protecting Nigeria’s future,” he said.
