At least 500,000 Nigerians have been impacted by flooding this year in 29 of the country’s 36 states, including Okonkwo. In Benue state, Nigeria’s bread basket, it sits in a canoe while neighbors paddle her away from her home; which is now submerged, along with more than 100,000 hectares (247,100 acres) of farmland.
Farmers claim that because of the rising seas, food prices would increase in a country where millions of people have experienced food insecurity in the past two years.
In 2020, agriculture was constrained by COVID-19 restrictions as well as flooding and a food shortage.
Due to the fighting in Ukraine this year and general unrest that has driven hundreds of farmers from their land, prices have skyrocketed.
According to Nigerian commodities market AFEX, flooding and other factors will reduce rice production by 21%; and maize output by 12% year.