Challenges of Nigerian smallholder farmers in tackling food crisis amid COVID-19

Ikechukwu was one of the unlucky farmers. She said government’s relief package was not distributed to her and other smallholder farmers who share a farm settlement with her.

“They are not helping us because if they are really interested in small scale farmers maybe they would provide fertilizer free for us,” she said. “I used my money to buy the fertilizer I use and even some protective kits for myself so I can be able to protect myself.”

Jeremiah Ayem Mlanga who cultivates mostly maize on his farmland said government’s support has not been enough to reach every farmer affected by the pandemic.

“We can defeat this challenge and produce more food if the government helps us with what we need to boost our farm production,” he said.

The PwC report advises the government to consider offering more palliative to farmers in the form of improved seedlings, basic farm implements at highly subsidized prices, and free or more affordable farm extension services to help maximize output.

“Many of the rural farmers are not aware of these relief packages from the government so there is the need to raise awareness about what the government is doing and how the farmers can access them,” Mustapha said. “Farmers need to be encouraged with more relief packages because this will encourage them for more farming production and improving food security.”

Zaan hopes the harvest season would be an opportunity to recoup losses incurred as a result of the pandemic. But increase in rainfall which has caused flood to wash away farmlands in some regions might affect the future prospects of these farmers for the harvest season.

“That is the only opportunity we have to prepare for the next farming season,” she said. “We have lost a lot this year because of the pandemic and if it goes away next year, we will have a better farming season.”

This work was supported by the National Geographic Society’s Emergency Fund for Journalists…