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Food insecurity in a changing climate: A call to action

Food insecurity in a changing climate: A call to action

Helen Ochayi
Overview

Food security exists when “everyone, at all times, has physical and economic access to sufficient, safe, and nutritious food that meets their dietary needs and food preferences for an active and healthy life.” 1. The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations (UN) 2021 reported that globally, about 927.6 million people suffered food insecurity in various periods in 2020, while Sub-Saharan Africa accounts for about 346.6 million, which is 37.3%2. Over time, agriculture has remained one of the most vulnerable sectors to climate change in Sub-Saharan Africa, particularly in terms of declines in agricultural production and an uncertain climate that significantly affects food security. With agriculture being the largest economic activity in the region, increasing climate variability and extreme weather events such as droughts have been the reasons for crop failure and high food prices4. Due to the region’s growing arid and semi-arid conditions, vulnerability to droughts will remain high pending government policies promoting climate change adaptation and mitigation5.

Climate Change

Since the 1990s, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has reported that the global average temperature has increased by 0.78 °C between 1850 and 2012. This temperature rise can be attributed to the increase in atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) concentration, which has gone up from 278 ppm to 379 ppm 6. In countries where temperatures are already extremely high, such as the Sahel belt of Africa or South Asia, rising temperatures could have a more immediate effect on crops such as wheat that are less heat-tolerant, and an increase of 2 degrees Celsius in average global temperatures becomes increasingly difficult to adapt 7. Climate change will increasingly cause adverse impacts on agricultural production through diminishing water supplies, increases in extreme events like floods and severe storms, heat stress, and an increased prevalence of pests and diseases. Climate change poses a significant threat to the survival of ecosystems and biodiversity across the globe. However, it has also caused notable effects on water, food security, and health conditions, particularly in African countries, including Nigeria 8. Nigeria was reported by a UK-based company in its 2017 Climate Change Vulnerability Index (CCVI) to have a high risk and one of the very vulnerable countries in the world 9.

Food Security

According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), approximately 193 million individuals across 53 countries were acutely food insecure and in need of urgent assistance in 2021 10. Additionally, in 2020, nearly 3.1 billion people could not afford a healthy diet 11. International organizations such as the World Food Programme (2022), the International Monetary Fund, and the World Trade Organization have identified several factors that have led to the global food crisis, including the pandemic, the war in Ukraine, and the climate crisis 12-13. The International Monetary Fund (2023) shows that food inflation in Nigeria rose to 23 percent in September 2022, and the acute food insecurity population has risen by 5.4 million people to 17 million over the past year 14.  Data from the World Food Program (WFP) in November 2022 for 26 states in Nigeria and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) show that the share of those in stressed food security situations with minimally adequate food consumption is 34 percent of the population 14.  Food insecurity in Nigeria has been increased by climate change such as prolonged drought, increased temperatures, desert encroachment, erratic rainfall patterns, carbon emissions (CO2), and floods 15. Furthermore, conflicts and insurgencies are negatively affecting agriculture, especially in the north-eastern and north-central parts of the country 16.

Effect of Climate on Food Security

The yearly flooding has caused significant damage to a vast expanse of land, including farmlands. For instance, in Kolaware Community, Patani Local Government Area of Delta State, the 2018 flooding incidents resulted in the loss of major crops such as yam, plantains, okra, and cocoyam. Similarly, the floods that occurred in the Akinima community, Ahoada West Local Government Area of Rivers State, destroyed crops such as plantains, cassava, bananas, and others 17. The consequences of this flooding include food insecurity due to the theft of food, scarcity of basic food items after a flood incident, and difficulty for households or residents in accessing food. Floods also affect the growth and development of crops, rendering farmers unable to benefit from their planted crops and leading to very poor harvests. Immature crops are more likely to be harvested due to floods, and washing away farmlands can lead to severe hunger and starvation 17.  

Desertification is a serious problem in the dry land areas of Nigeria. Approximately 50% to 75% of the Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno, Gombe, Jigawa, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Sokoto, Yobe, and Zamfara states are affected by desertification, making them particularly susceptible to wind erosion 18. This accounts for about 43% of Nigeria’s total land area, with the country losing over 350,000 hectares of land annually 18. The consequences of desert encroachment have negatively impacted agricultural production in these areas. For example, Sokoto State is said to be under siege, with over 65% of its land affected, and about 55% of Borno State is afflicted. Sand dunes have invaded large areas of farmland in these regions, rendering them inaccessible for proper use 19. These areas are major producers of livestock and staple cereals such as millet, corn, sorghum, wheat, beans, and groundnuts, which are essential for food security 19.

Soil erosion is an ecological issue that is of great concern in the southeastern region of Nigeria in general and the Anambra, Enugu, Abia, Imo, and Akwa Ibom States in particular. Anambra is famous for its Agulu-Nanka-Oko-Ekwulobia gullies 20. Almost all communities in the state are affected by one form of erosion or another, and over 70 percent of the land in the state is ravaged by or threatened by erosion at various levels 21. Gully incidences generate between 4.2 and 10cm3 /ha/year of sediments, which constitute about 45–90 % of total sediment production on agricultural lands in Imo, Abia, and Anambra states 21. Due to the problem of gully erosion, a vast area of farmland has been lost, and many more are at different stages of destruction. This has caused a significant decrease in agricultural productivity, leading to food shortages and ultimately extreme food insecurity. Soil erosion has also resulted in barren and infertile land that may require reclamation. The impact is felt by the inhabitants of the affected land, who face untold hardship. According to the Anambra State Ministry of Environment, over 30 percent of Anambra State’s land area has been lost, and more than 40 percent of homes and land are at risk of being affected by soil erosion. 21.

Impact of Insecurity on Food Security and Climate Change in Nigeria

The Boko Haram insurgency began in 2009 in the northeast region of the country, causing many households to flee their homes and lose access to their farmland. As a result, food production has decreased, leading to food insecurity in rural areas 22-23. In the North Central geopolitical zone, there has been a long-standing conflict over land and water resources between farmers and herdsmen. This conflict has resulted in the destruction of crops on farmlands by the cattle of the herdsmen, the deaths of farmers and herdsmen, the displacement of communities, unemployment, and food insecurity 24-25. The security situation in these areas is appalling, which limits the opportunities for households to earn an income. Additionally, the shortage of supplies has resulted in increased food prices, thereby reducing the population’s access to food 26.

Call to Action

Policymakers must take immediate and decisive action to address the challenges presented by food insecurity and climate change. Governments, international organizations, civil society, and the private sector must work together to develop and implement strategies that promote resilience within vulnerable communities and safeguard food production systems. Investing in sustainable agriculture, water management, and climate-smart technologies is essential for building adaptive capacity and ensuring food security despite evolving climate risks. Additionally, we can mitigate the impacts of climate-related shocks on food access and livelihoods by strengthening early warning systems, improving disaster preparedness, and enhancing social safety nets.

References

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