Analysis of insecurity shocks and farmers’ resilience in the Niger Delta Region, Nigeria

The study assessed the shocks from insecurity and farmers‟ resilience in the Niger Delta, Nigeria. The region has recorded several security challenges and unrest which adversely affected the economy of the country having a high unemployment rate of 24%. This particularly has affected farmers resulting to a decreased agricultural productivity. The insecurity issues identified in the study area include: environmental degradation, climate change, poverty, conflicts and crime. Meanwhile, the form of crisis and conflicts include; conflicts between communities and companies over host community status, oil spill compensation, electoral and political violence, violent chieftaincy title struggles, struggles over oil bunkering territories, cult fraternity groups (Icelanders, bush boys, Greenlanders), Insurgent groups (MEND), organised crime and violent accumulation (kidnapping as business, piracy and the most recent is the Niger Delta Avenger group among others. The shocks experienced by the people as a result of security challenges were; high prices of food and other consumables leading to high cost of living in the area, low farm productivity, feeling of weakness, strange, stress, anger, frustration, youth restiveness and so on. With ever increasing poverty rates in the south-south in 2012-2013 periods as 27.70% and 24.40% respectively. Thus, improved agricultural inputs and technology, social protection and the provision of human security are some of the resilient strategies identified. Hence, it was recommended that the government should take adequate measures by providing adequate security for the people especially farmers, also give supports in form of subsidy on farm inputs and financial grants to farmers to increase food production.