Food insecurity is a serious, growing problem in Nigeria. It was reported that 7 out of 10 Nigerians did not have enough to eat in 2021.

This is worsened by annual flooding. Towards the end of September 2022, Nigeria began experiencing floods. So far, more than 600 people have died and millions have been displaced. The magnitude and impact of these floods are set to surpass the events of 2012 – the most severe recorded flooding event in Nigeria’s history.

I’ve carried out research which provides insights into how these floods affect food security in Nigeria. The concept of food security encompasses the availability, access, utilisation, and stability of food – how much food is constantly available.

There is an urgent need to address food security issues in Nigeria, which is predicted to become the world’s third most populous nation by 2050. Despite the impact of flooding on food security, it is not recognised as a threat by policymakers, as evidenced by the national agricultural plans which don’t even acknowledge the role of disasters on food security.

The food security situation was dire before, and the ongoing flooding has made it worse. Here I outline four ways flooding has had an impact on food security. These can show policymakers how to make the connection and do something about it.

1. Food availability

How much food is available depends on food production. Food production levels in Nigeria are already below demand. Nigeria relies on US$10 billion of imports to meet its food and agricultural production shortfalls (mostly wheat, rice, poultry and fish). This is even though agriculture is the second most important economic activity after crude oil.

Flooding makes the situation worse. Flooding degrades the environment and destroys crops, farm settlements, livestock, and seedling stores. This reduces harvest and affects the next planting season, culminating in a food shortage crisis.

Livestock are killed or lose pastures and inundated farmlands are unsuitable for cultivation.

Read more: https://theconversation.com/nigeria-floods-4-ways-they-affect-food-security-193354