Abstract
The Middle Belt region of Nigeria, comprising significant parts of Benue, Nasarawa, Taraba, Adamawa, Plateau, Kogi, and Kwara, has been a battle ground for the nomadic terrorism in the past few years. Through the inspiration of Boko Haram, the nomadic terrorists have been able to infiltrate this part of the country impossible for the conventional Boko Haram to penetrate, leading to destruction of lives and livelihood, and displacement of thousands of people, with Benue State, referred to as the “Food Basket of the Nation,” the worst affected in the zone. While much attention is given to its impacts on human insecurity, what has been less observed, at least from an academic point of view, is its food insecurity impacts. Using phenomenological qualitative research, the study examined the impacts of nomadic terrorism on food insecurity in the Food Basket of the Nation in Nigeria. The study has implications for policymaking to address the state of IDPs in new location and militate against nomadic terrorism and conflicts in the Food Basket of the Nation and tackle food insecurity.
TopBackground
The state of household food insecurity is an evolving concept that is wide spread in both the developed and developing countries (Adebayo, Olagunju, Kabir, & Adeyemi, 2016). As noted by Smith and Subandoro (2007), food insecurity continues to be a major developmental problem across the globe, thus undermining people’s health, productivity and often their survival. However, the potential for, and impact of, food insecurity will vary by location (Lloyd’s, 2016). In sub-Saharan Africa, the phenomenon is most felt (Adebayo, et al 2016). In general, developed countries are at lower risk of food insecurity than developing countries (Lloyd’s, 2016). In the words of Kuku and Liverpool (2010) and Amalu (2002), conflict, terrorism, drought, famine, degradation, deforestation, land tenure system, water stress, global climate change, extension gap, and low agricultural productivity are some of the factors restricting access to food or constraints to food production and food security in sub-Saharan Africa.
Key Terms in this Chapter
Food Access: The conditions needed to obtain sufficient food.
Food Security: This is the ability of an individual or household to have physical and economic access to food at all times.
Food Insecurity: This is a state of inability to sufficient food at all times, either through purchase food in markets or produce food for oneself.
Nomadic Terrorism: This is terrorist attacks by the nomads who are inspired by Islamic ideology and Boko Haram.
Phenomenological Study: A study that endeavor to understand the nature of people’s experiences and interpretations of key events of their lives.
Food Stability: The ability to access food at all times.
Food Availability: The state of having sufficient food either from production or market.