The Nigerian Federal Government has initiated a significant effort to address the growing food security challenges by deploying over 10,000 Agro Rangers across 19 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). This initiative, a collaboration between the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), aims to protect farmers from escalating violence and ensure the safety of agricultural communities. The Agro Rangers will mediate conflicts between farmers and herders and prevent the malicious destruction of farmlands, a pressing issue that has contributed to the alarming rise in food inflation, which has reached 40.87% as of July 2024.
The deployment of Agro Rangers aligns with strategies previously proposed by the National Economic Council (NEC) as a short-term solution to the widespread insecurity affecting agricultural productivity. This measure is particularly critical in states like Benue, often regarded as the nation’s food basket, which have been severely impacted by ongoing attacks on farming communities. The initiative is seen as an essential step towards stabilizing the nation’s food supply and restoring agricultural productivity.
With food inflation continuing to climb, the Nigerian government is hopeful that securing farmlands through the deployment of Agro Rangers will mitigate the impact of insecurity on the agricultural sector. This proactive approach is intended to protect farmers and ensure that agricultural activities can resume in a secure environment, ultimately contributing to the stabilization of food prices and the restoration of food security across the country.
The deployment of these 10,000 Agro Rangers represents a critical move by the government to safeguard the nation’s food supply and address the challenges posed by insecurity in farming regions. As the country grapples with rising food prices and threats to its agricultural sector, this initiative is a key component in the broader strategy to enhance food security and support the livelihoods of farmers nationwide.
