The World Bank has forecasted that persistent insecurity, armed conflict, and declining livelihoods will continue to impact local government areas in Borno, Kaduna, Katsina, Sokoto, Yobe, Zamfara states, and the far north of Adamawa State in Nigeria until May 2024.
The institution highlighted that poor macroeconomic conditions are limiting access to agricultural inputs in these affected states, affecting cereal production in the country.
In its recent ‘Food Security Update,’ the World Bank noted that estimated cereal production for the 2023/24 crop year in West and Central Africa is expected to be 76.5 million tons, reflecting a two percent decrease from the previous season but a three percent rise from the five-year average.
Chad, Mali, Niger, and Nigeria are expected to contribute significantly to this decline, with projections indicating a decrease in production attributed to factors such as dry spells, insecurity limiting access to cropland, and poor macroeconomic conditions restricting access to agricultural inputs.
The report predicts that most areas in the sub-region will remain in the minimally food insecure category from November to May 2024.
Additionally, Crisis (IPC Phase 3) conditions are anticipated to persist in local government areas in Borno, Kaduna, Katsina, Sokoto, Yobe, Zamfara states, and the far north of Adamawa state in Nigeria during the same period, primarily due to persistent insecurity, armed conflict, and deteriorating livelihoods.
The report also highlights high inflation in many low and middle-income countries, with Nigeria experiencing a headline inflation of 28.20 percent and food inflation soaring to 32.84 percent in November.
This data underscores the challenges faced by the country in the context of global economic conditions.
