Assessing the Impact of Insecurity and Climate Change on the Effectiveness of the Agricultural Promotion Policy (Green Alternative) in Advancing Nigeria’s Food Security

Abstract

Food security is central to Nigeria’s long-term stability and progress, yet the country continues to grapple with persistent hunger, unstable food prices, and deep-rooted structural challenges. Even with its extensive arable land and a young population inclined toward farming, years of weak policy support, rising insecurity, and climate-related disruptions have increased reliance on food imports and steadily weakened rural livelihoods. This study examined the impact of insecurity and climate change on the success of Agricultural Promotion Policy’s (APP) (Green Alternative) in improving food security in Nigeria. Drawing on Food Security Theory, the study utilized an ex-post facto research design within a qualitative framework and employed a documentary method for data collection. The data were analyzed through content analysis to identify, interpret, and report patterns, offering detailed insights into the security and climate change challenges of Agricultural Promotion Policy (Green Alternative). The study found that the Agriculture Promotion Policy (Green Alternative) in Nigeria was significantly hindered by persistent insecurity and climate variability, with insurgency, banditry, and farmer–herder conflicts disrupting rural livelihoods and limiting access to land, markets, and extension services. Climate change further aggravated these challenges through recurrent floods, droughts, and unpredictable rainfall, which damaged farmland, reduced crop and livestock production, and intensified food scarcity. These combined factors forced the policy into reactive management, undermining its objectives of food self-sufficiency, market stability, and private-sector investment. The study recommended enhancing security in agricultural areas, supporting displaced farmers, establishing modern ranches, promoting local conflict resolution, strengthening climate forecasting and infrastructure, and encouraging climate-resilient farming practices to restore agricultural productivity and food security.