Across conflict-affected areas of northeastern Nigeria, more than 3.7 million people face food insecurity—many of them farmers who once nourished their communities. Years of conflict have displaced families, restricted access to farmland, and disrupted local food production.
“Right now, we face severe food shortages. Farming is the only solution to hunger,” says Modu Umar, a community leader in Dikwa, adding that some families are forced to walk long distances every day to collect firewood to sell, just to afford food.
In some communities, insecurity severely limits farmers’ movements. “Some people trek for three hours to reach their farms. By the time you get there, you’re already exhausted, and when you return home, it’s late,” says 70-year-old farmer Churi Ibrahim from Gajibo.
Despite these challenges, farmers persist. “Even when you’re afraid, you have to go. If you don’t farm during the rainy season, you’ll have nothing to eat,” says Bintu Konto, a mother of five.
As the lean season begins and food stocks dwindle, the pressure is mounting. “This is when households must start purchasing food, but many conflict-affected families can’t afford much,” says Diana Japaridze, Head of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) office in Maiduguri.
Food insecurity is also fueling malnutrition, especially among children under five and pregnant or breastfeeding women. In response, the ICRC supports malnutrition stabilization centres, as well as community education to help families care for vulnerable children.
To help address these challenges and promote long-term resilience, the ICRC has initiated an agricultural assistance programme that supports both rainy and dry season farming.
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This year, more than 21,000 farming households have received seeds tailored to local conditions, along with seed-planting tools to reduce labour burdens and improve efficiency.
The support includes both field crops and vegetables—such as rice, maize, tomato, and okra—contributing to greater dietary diversity and nutritional value.
Farmers are also trained in sustainable farming practices, helping to build local capacity and ensure they can continue even after the ICRC leaves.
At a systemic level, and in partnership with the National Agricultural Seed Council (NASC), the ICRC also recently completed repairs to a key water source, ensuring continuous water access for the council’s seed testing and greenhouse facilities.
Nevertheless, the lean season remains a significant challenge for many farmers who cannot produce enough food for their families.
“For a large family like mine, sometimes we don’t even get one meal a day,” says farmer Churi Ibrahim.
NIGERIAN TRIBUNE