Nigeria's Farmers Face Drought Crisis Amid Climate Change Threats
Farmers in Nigeria are grappling with a severe water crisis that threatens food security across the nation. With river beds running dry, many have turned to groundwater, raising concerns among conservationists about the potential for widespread food scarcity if immediate action is not taken.
In northern Nigeria, once fertile farmlands are now cracked and parched as climate change wreaks havoc on traditional farming practices. Farmers, such as Nasello in Sakoto state, lament the loss of reliable water sources, stating that after two decades of farming, they now depend on dwindling groundwater supplies. "All these things are a result of climate change," Nasello explains, highlighting the drastic changes in water availability over recent years.
Approximately 80% of Nigeria's farmers are smallholders who rely heavily on simple tools and lack irrigation systems. The drying landscape is not only threatening their livelihoods but is also impacting the nation's food supply. The country's maize cultivation, which is its largest cereal crop, has seen a significant decline, with land coverage shrinking from 6.2 million hectares in 2021 to 5.8 million in 2022. This reduction is particularly concerning as northern Nigeria contributes about 70% of the country’s food production.
As farmers struggle to adapt, food prices are rising, increasing dependence on imports, particularly in coastal regions like Lagos, which houses over 21 million residents. One farmer noted, "The year we started, we had enough water, but now there is no water. Therefore, we have to dig a well to get water to continue to irrigate." This shift highlights the urgent need for irrigation solutions, especially during the critical growing seasons.
Environmental experts are sounding the alarm, linking the drying rivers, lakes, and streams to climate change and the semi-arid conditions of northern Nigeria. The agricultural sector’s contribution to Nigeria's GDP fell from 25% to 22% in the last quarter, coinciding with a surge in food imports, which have reached a five-year high.
With Nigeria projected to become the world's third most populous country by 2050, organizations like the UN Food and Agriculture Organization are advocating for a rapid transition to climate-smart farming practices. However, for now, farmers like Peloan continue to plant seeds in increasingly dry soil, holding onto hope that their crops will withstand the harsh conditions.
The ongoing water crisis in Nigeria serves as a pressing reminder of the profound impacts of climate change on agriculture and food security, necessitating urgent action and sustainable solutions to safeguard the future of farming in the region.
For the latest developments on Nigeria's agricultural challenges and climate change impacts, stay tuned to our blog.
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