Floods destroy crops for 8.5m people as Nigeria’s food crisis deepens

The devastating floods that have ravaged parts of Nigeria have destroyed crops that could have fed 8.5 million people for six months, according to the United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).

This dire situation has exacerbated the already deteriorating food security situation in the country, with almost half of Nigeria’s 200 million people living in extreme poverty.

The FAO report reads, “Floods that have submerged parts of Nigeria at the onset of the harvest season have destroyed crops that would have fed 8.5 million people for six months.

“The heavy rains are exacerbating the already deteriorating food security situation in the country.

“Quantifying the exact loss has not yet been possible due to the gravity of the disaster.”

The FAO estimates that approximately 856,000 tons of crops have been lost, based on an average yield of 1.5 tons of food grown per hectare on the waterlogged land.

This is a catastrophic blow to Nigeria’s food production, particularly in the 10 states most affected by the floods, including Kaduna, Kano, Jigawa, Nasarawa, Taraba, Bauchi, Zamfara, Yobe, Sokoto, and Kebbi.

Dr. Haruna Mairiga, Secretary of the Jigawa State Emergency Management Agency, confirmed that over 2,744 hectares of farmlands have been washed away by the flood in Jigawa State alone.

The floods have also ravaged 12 local government areas, resulting in the death of 21 persons and the destruction of farmlands and houses. Farmers in the state have lost over N1 billion of farm produce and crops to the flood.

“No fewer than 2,744 hectares of farmlands have been washed away by the flood across the 12 affected LGAs. From August 1 to 13, 2024, the state witnessed intermittent downpours leading to several incidences of flood and the death of 21 persons as well as the destruction of farmlands and houses,” Mairiga said.