Hello and welcome!
Today in the Kura Bari programme we are discussing how low rainfall, persistent insecurity and major prices hikes are threatening food security in the northeast region.
The rainy season usually begins in late May and ends in October. But this year there has been much lower rainfall than usual, probably caused by climate change, and the crop harvest is expected to be much lower.
A recent report published by the Famine Early Warning System Network says attacks have been reported in several areas of the northeast, further driving the displacement of people from their lands.
A “worse harvest outcome” is anticipated in some conflict-ridden areas, such as in the Damboa, Mobbar, Kala Balge, Guzamala, Marte and Konduga Local Government Areas in Borno State and in the Geidam, Yusufari and Tarmua Local Government Areas in Yobe State.
Farmers in the Lake Chad Basin are expecting poor crop harvests because of the low rainfall.
The price of agricultural inputs has added to the plight of farmers.
Staple food prices have also increased significantly above average, constraining food access for market-reliant households.
Our guests are:
- Bukar Mala, an expert in food security; and
- Dr Mustapha Adam Kolo, a climate scientist at the University of Maiduguri.
