Rising insecurity in rural communities, particularly farmer-herder conflicts and rampant kidnappings, is posing a serious threat to Nigeria’s food production and long-term food security, according to a new report by Veriv Africa, a research and advisory firm.
The report, based on a food price baseline survey conducted in February 2025, draws insights from over 500 smallholder farmers across five key agricultural states — Ondo, Kano, Niger, Kaduna, and Benue. It highlights the growing impact of violence on farming communities, with insecurity ranked as one of the top challenges facing rural farmers, second only to lack of access to finance.
While many farmers reported short-term economic gains due to recent high crop prices, over half expressed deep concerns about the future of agriculture in Nigeria. The fear is rooted in worsening rural insecurity, which continues to disrupt farming activities, force displacements, and restrict movement of goods to markets.
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The report also paints a troubling picture of limited access to financial support, with 60% of farmers relying on personal savings to fund their operations. Most farmers operate on small plots of land, using family labor, and are increasingly vulnerable to shocks ranging from conflict to climate events.
Market data gathered during the survey revealed the prices of key crops: cocoa at ₦110,000 per 50kg bag, sesame at ₦102,305, rice at ₦43,750, yam at ₦39,423, corn at ₦36,309, and tomatoes at ₦12,500. While these figures reflect the economic potential of Nigeria’s agricultural sector, they also lamented the risks faced by farmers unable to fully benefit from their harvests due to insecurity and poor infrastructure.
The report concludes that securing rural communities is essential for sustaining food production, encouraging investment in agriculture, and protecting the livelihoods of millions of smallholder farmers.
