The food security situation report by the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) has projected that 26 million people across Borno, Sokoto, Zamfara states and the Federal Capital Territory might experience food crisis between June and August 2024.

FAO Country Representative, Dominique Kouacou, who revealed this at the public presentation of Cadre Harmonise report (food security analysis), yesterday, in Abuja, revealed that the report was conducted in 26 states to analyse available data for the purpose of identifying populations at risk of food and nutrition insecurity in the country.

Kouacou, represented by Assistant FAO Representative (Programme), Dr. Abubakar Suleiman, stated that the current cycle is happening after an unusual lean season, during which there were several shocks, ranging from persistent insecurity situations like insurgency, banditry.

He listed other shocks to include natural resource based conflicts, high cost of food and agricultural inputs due to high inflation and other economic factors as well as severe dry spells in some states immediately after the onset of rains.

He commended the increasing interest of the government in empowering communities and strengthening their resilience so they could be self-reliant, pledging the continued support of FAO to government and vulnerable communities to achieve these goals.

Also, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture and Security, Dr. Ernest Umakhihe, said the analysis was conducted and validated by highly skilled professionals.

The Permanent Secretary, represented by Director Special duties, Mrs. Fausat Lawal, said the results of the cycle of Cadre Harmonise (CH) analysis is coming at a time when government at all levels was leaving no stone unturned in reinvigorating the nation’s economy, which she said is the first step in addressing the challenges to food and nutrition Insecurity.