Nigeria Launches “Back to the Farm” Initiative to Combat Food Insecurity

The Nigerian government has unveiled a bold new macro-strategy to tackle persistent food insecurity across the country. Vice President Kashim Shettima announced the launch of the “Back to the Farm” initiative during a panel at the 56th World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. The program aims to curb inflation, reduce foreign exchange spending on food imports, and restore productivity in Nigeria’s key agricultural regions.

Shettima emphasized that food security in Nigeria is not just an agricultural concern but a core macroeconomic, governance, and national security issue. “In Nigeria, we don’t look at food security purely as an agricultural issue. It is a macroeconomic, security and governance issue. Our focus is to use food security as a pillar for national security, regional cohesion and stability,” he said.

The initiative comes amid rising food inflation and a cost-of-living crisis exacerbated by previous economic reforms, including the removal of petrol subsidies and the floating of the naira. Despite interventions such as subsidies and wage increases, millions of Nigerians continue to struggle to afford basic necessities, and the UN warns that around 35 million people face acute hunger this year.

The government’s strategy focuses on three pillars: boosting local food production, promoting environmental sustainability, and strengthening regional integration within West Africa. Shettima highlighted the adoption of climate-resilient crops, flood- and drought-tolerant varieties, and the creation of food security corridors to ensure farmers in conflict-prone areas can safely resume production.

Looking ahead, Shettima stressed the need for African collaboration under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) framework. He expressed optimism that the “Back to the Farm” initiative, aligned with the Renewed Hope Agenda, will transform pilot climate adaptation efforts into tangible results, increase intra-African trade, and make smallholders and fishers “investable at scale” within the next 12 months.

source: premiumtime