Impact of Insecurity on the Agroenterprise Sector in North-Western Nigeria

Abstract

This study assessed the impact of insecurity on the Agricultural Sector in North-Western Nigeria. The study looked at the following specific objectives: evaluate the trend of insecurity on the number of displaced Nigerians between 2014- 2023, determine the impact of insecurity on food prices in north western Nigeria, examine the levies imposed, levies paid, and its implications on food security and highlight the mitigation strategies to eliminate the impact of insecurity on agricultural activities in the study area. The study used secondary data from 2014 to 2023. The study showed that at the early stages of insecurity/insurgency in northwestern Nigeria, there was a higher rate (113%) of displaced Nigerians, while in later years, the rate decreased (1.4%) of displaced individuals. Moreso, the study showed that the activities of insurgents increased the prices of local food crops from 24% to 66%. The effect of these increases in Northwestern Nigeria hurts the prices of the same crop produced in neighboring communities in the Niger Republic. Furthermore, a total of 225 million was imposed on the farming communities, and a total sum of 139.5 million naira was paid, leaving a balance of 85.5 million naira. The implications of not paying the levies charged by the bandits by any individual or community are non-access to their farmland, either for farming/ harvesting activities, killing, raping, or looting of the farmers' produce. These levies are imposed on farmers based on the volume of harvest and the types of crops to be harvested. Furthermore, the different charges/levies on the food crops could have been due to the multiplicity of uses and international demand. The study therefore recommended improved governance, economic development, and security measures that support affected farmers and their agroenterprises on a sustainable scale. By tackling the root causes of insecurity and implementing effective solutions, Nigeria can ensure a more stable and prosperous agro-enterprise sector