Farmers in Nigeria are finding it increasingly difficult to get water for their crops as rivers and streams run dry. In Sokoto State, Nasiru Bello, who has farmed for over 20 years, now relies on costly groundwater wells after his local river turned into a muddy puddle.
“This is all because of climate change. Years ago, our rivers never dried up like this,” Bello lamented.
With most farmers lacking irrigation systems, many face the daunting task of digging wells that often dry up, forcing them to dig again. “It’s expensive and exhausting,” Bello added. “Sometimes we don’t even have money to fuel generators to pump water.”
Nigeria’s north, which produces about 70% of the country’s food, is seeing once-reliable water bodies disappear. Smallholder farmers, who make up over 80% of Nigeria’s agricultural sector, are struggling with basic tools and limited resources.
Maize cultivation, for example, declined from 6.2 million hectares in 2021 to 5.8 million hectares in 2022.
The impact is already being felt nationwide, with rising food prices in southern cities like Lagos. Experts warn that, without urgent intervention, the country could face severe food, water, and health crises.
Dr. Isa Yusuf-Sokoto, an environmentalist, explained: “The drying of rivers and lakes is tied to climate change. In Sokoto, desertification and deforestation have worsened the situation.”
Nigeria’s population is expected to reach 400 million by 2050, making food security a critical concern. While the UN advocates for climate-smart agriculture, farmers like Bello and Umoru Muazu continue to struggle, cultivating dry land with no immediate help in sight.
