By Abbas Nazil
The Jigawa State Government has warned that climate change, declining agricultural productivity and post-harvest losses are posing serious threats to food security across Northern Nigeria.
Calling for urgent action to strengthen food systems and protect livelihoods, the state government said coordinated efforts by Northern governments, development partners and other stakeholders were necessary to address the growing challenges.
The State Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning raised the concerns on Monday during the Bi-Annual Review Meeting on the Implementation of the Food Systems Transformation Strategy across the 19 Northern states, held in Dutse, Jigawa State.
He identified food insecurity, malnutrition, climate change, declining agricultural productivity, post-harvest losses and disruptions to food supply chains as major challenges affecting the region.
According to the commissioner, tackling these interconnected problems requires a comprehensive approach that integrates agriculture, healthcare, nutrition, environmental sustainability, infrastructure development and social protection.
He urged the 19 Northern states to adopt climate-smart agricultural practices, improve storage and processing technologies, and promote sustainable natural resource management to reduce food losses and strengthen the resilience of agricultural systems.
The commissioner stressed that improving food security would require more than policy formulation, insisting that governments must translate commitments into practical interventions capable of increasing farm productivity, improving household incomes and expanding access to nutritious food.
He also emphasised the importance of adequate funding, effective planning and proper implementation of agricultural policies, noting that these measures were necessary to achieve meaningful improvements in the region’s food systems.
He called on participating states to strengthen cooperation, mobilise resources more effectively and ensure that food security priorities are incorporated into their annual budgets and development plans.
The commissioner further highlighted the need to support smallholder farmers, women, young people and vulnerable households, describing them as essential contributors to food production, processing and distribution.
He said strengthening the capacity of these groups would be important in building more resilient food systems and addressing the economic and social consequences of food insecurity.
Northern Nigeria faces multiple pressures on its agricultural sector, with climate-related challenges and losses after harvesting adding to existing difficulties in food production, preservation and distribution.
Improving storage facilities and processing technologies could help farmers preserve more of their harvests, reduce wastage and improve the availability of food beyond the harvesting season.
The commissioner commended the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, the Federal Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning and other development partners for supporting initiatives aimed at strengthening food security across the region.
He expressed optimism that stronger partnerships, improved financing and sustained political commitment would help Northern states address food security challenges and advance the implementation of the Food Systems Transformation Strategy.
