Food Security Framework | Underlying Factors

• The Sudano-Sahelian (extreme north of Nigeria covering Kebbi, Sokoto, Zamfara, Katsina, Kano, Jigawa, Borno, and Yobe states) is usually drought prone with average annual rainfall of about 600mm and is exposed to fast encroaching desertification and soil erosion. These conditions sometimes result in food production deficits, which reduce household food reserves to about 5-6 months. These populations are highly dependent on cereals as a source of food, with diets relatively lacking in diversity. These factors coupled with poor household practices have led to record high levels of stunting, wasting, and underweight.

• Increasing urbanization and high population growth is resulting in reduced grazing land. This growing pressure of land results in high conflict potentials and substantial cases of conflicts between farmers and herders. Inadequate supports for livestock development contribute to the deterioration of the sources of income of pastoral households who have to spend a substantial amount of money for veterinary care. Reduction of milk intake during the lean period when fodder and water are scarce translates into highest levels of stunting, wasting, and underweight among pastoralist children under the age of five.

  High population density, rapid urbanization, and substantial land fragmentation in the face of limited land makes access to land difficult and expensive for smallholder farmers in southern Nigeria. This situation coupled with perennial soil erosion, soil infertility, and poor access to fertilizers and other inputs, and poor rural infrastructures translates to low productivity, food production deficits, and household food insecurity being worsened by poor market systems. Poor market systems are caused by the lack of competitiveness of export crops due to high production cost; lack of storage facilities; frequent shifts in production; and poor roads, communication, power, and water services.