Global Food Crisis: Fact or Fiction?

By August 2025, an additional 7 million Nigerians are expected to face food insecurity, bringing the total number to 33 million. This staggering projection, shared by the United Nations and the Nigerian government in October, highlights the scale of a growing crisis in one of Africa’s most populous nations.

Nigeria’s situation isn’t unique; it reflects a growing global crisis that’s capturing the attention of governments, organizations, and individuals worldwide. Factors like economic hardship, disrupted supply chains, and extreme weather patterns intensify concerns about food shortages and volatile prices. Many are left wondering: are we truly on the brink of a global food crisis, or is it an exaggerated narrative?

The Reality Behind the Crisis

To grasp the gravity of this potential crisis, we need to understand the underlying causes. Food production and distribution hinge on climate stability, reliable economic frameworks, and political security. In recent years, multiple factors have strained these systems, putting more people at risk of hunger and making food security an increasingly urgent issue.

Recent spikes in inflation and soaring global energy prices have significantly weakened purchasing power across Africa, especially in Nigeria. According to recent data from Nigeria's National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), food inflation in Nigeria reached 30.64% in September 2024, up from 29.34% in August. This marks one of the highest inflation rates in recent history, heavily impacting the cost of essential food items and stretching budgets for millions of low- and middle-income households.

The cost of essential food commodities, as well as oil and gas, has put immense pressure on low- and middle-income households, straining their budgets and impacting their ability to meet daily needs. This sharp rise in prices is forcing many to adjust their consumption habits, often leading to a reduction in food quality and quantity.

Compounding these challenges, disruptions in food distribution and supply chains have made it harder to access diverse foods, further affecting dietary diversity and nutrition. As the situation persists, there is a growing risk of increased food insecurity, leaving more people vulnerable to hunger and malnutrition.

Is the Crisis Overstated?

Some argue that the global food crisis narrative is exaggerated, pointing to innovations in agriculture like drought-resistant crops, vertical farming, and sustainable practices that have improved resilience in certain regions. Countries like Kenya and Tanzania, for instance, have seen improvements through climate-smart agricultural practices that enhance productivity despite environmental challenges.

However, the situation in Nigeria and other countries experiencing severe hunger suggests that these advancements aren’t reaching everyone. The United Nations World Food Programme reports that 345 million people worldwide are now experiencing acute food insecurity, nearly double the number before the pandemic. This underscores the need for targeted support to vulnerable regions and populations.

The way forward – more focus on sustainability and resilience building?

• First, we need to prioritize food systems, not just supply. It's crucial to focus on strengthening the entire food system to handle disruptions and prevent future crises. This means addressing all areas from production to distribution.
• Secondly, strengthen energy and transport Links. This means integrating energy and transport planning to ensure steady, affordable food access, even during global shocks.
• ?Ensure adequate supplies of safe and nutritious food in the market and reasonable prices for low-income consumers to stabilize their purchasing power and maintain their consumption. Supply chains need to be fully operational, including capacity for seeding, protecting standing crops, rearing livestock, infrastructure for processing food, and all logistical systems.?
• Support Small Agribusinesses: Provide stimulus packages for small and medium agribusinesses to maintain food production and ensure access to key inputs, especially fertilizers.
• The government and private sectors together need to have precautionary measures in place to tackle any further emergencies as well as a robust recovery plan to cope with shocks. During any crisis, the vulnerable become more vulnerable to the scarcity of basic needs including food safety and food security. A viable economy, availability, affordability of the essentials, and a stable food system that delivers for the unserved and underserved can help us to overcome food crises.?

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