26.5 Million Nigerians to Face Severe Food Scarcity in June-August, Report Warns | #NwokeukwuMascot
News
….Nearly 26.5Million Nigerians Will Experience Worse Food Scarcity In June, August, Report Says | #NwokeukwuMascot
A recent report by SB Morgen Intelligence has projected that over 26 million Nigerians will experience severe food scarcity between June and August 2024.
The report highlighted that the Northwest and Northeast regions of the country will be the most affected by this looming crisis.
The report stated: “Approximately 26.5 million individuals, representing about 11.5 percent of Nigeria’s population, are expected to face Crisis - Phase 3 - or worse levels of acute food insecurity during the peak of the upcoming lean season from June to August 2024, when food availability is at its lowest.
“This estimate includes around 5.4 million people in the Northwest states of Katsina, Sokoto, and Zamfara, as well as nearly 4.4 million people in the Northeastern states of Adamawa, Borno, and Yobe.”
The report attributed the anticipated food scarcity to the increasing extortion tactics employed by bandits, particularly the imposition of fees on local farmers before harvest, which has significantly impacted their productivity.
The report further explained: “Instead of imposing a fixed rate, bandits are now charging levies based on the volume of harvest, putting additional financial strain on farmers who are already struggling.
“This extortion tactic, similar to taxation, is dependent on territorial control. As bandits aim to expand their influence over territories and revenue sources, they may instigate conflicts and clashes with local communities and security forces.
“As a result, farming, which has been a vital source of income for many villagers, is at risk of becoming unsustainable due to heavy taxation. This could lead to many farmers abandoning agriculture in search of other means of survival.
“This potential shift may empower bandit groups to seize more territory, further criminalizing farming activities and jeopardizing food security in the region.”
Comments
Post a Comment