Kyari Blames Climate Change, Super El Niño for Nigeria’s Food Insecurity Risk

Minister of Agriculture and Food Security Abubakar Kyari has attributed Nigeria’s projected food insecurity crisis to climate change, irregular rainfall patterns and the Super El Niño phenomenon, warning that changing weather conditions are disrupting farming activities.

Kyari said the weather had become increasingly unpredictable, with prolonged dry seasons affecting planting schedules and reducing farmers’ ability to rely on rainfall for crop production.

“Food insecurity is caused by Super El Niño and climate change. It is affecting our farms and food production,” the minister said in a statement.

He explained that the changing rainfall pattern had scattered planting periods, making it more difficult for farmers to plan their activities and maintain consistent agricultural output.

Kyari said the administration of President Bola Tinubu was responding by increasing the supply of fertilisers and other farm inputs to farmers. He also listed the introduction of more tractors, expansion of irrigation systems and support for dry-season farming among the government’s measures.

Other interventions, according to the minister, include providing more agricultural loans and constructing storage and processing centres to support farmers and strengthen the food supply chain.

He also said improved security in some farming communities was helping displaced farmers return to their fields. Kyari identified Marte and Guzamala in Borno State as areas where conditions had become more peaceful.

According to him, officials were recently able to access the two communities to conduct the Cadre Harmonisé assessment, after insecurity had previously prevented them from entering the areas.

The minister’s comments come amid concerns over the impact of changing weather conditions and insecurity on agricultural production and food availability in Nigeria.