Nigeria Pilots AgriShield to Help Farmers Grow Food Safely

Farmers in northeast Nigeria are getting a new chance to work their land without fear, thanks to a government program that treats food security as a national security priority.

The AgriShield Initiative is launching in Borno State's farming communities, where years of violent extremism have kept families away from their fields. Led by Nigeria's National Counter Terrorism Centre, the program carries a simple message: "Our Presence is Your Peace."

The challenge is real and urgent. When researchers surveyed 1,409 residents across Maiduguri, Jere, and Mafa in June and July, they found that 86 percent wanted to know how the government protects them, but only 17 percent were aware of any local security efforts. The gap between action and awareness was costing the country harvests, livelihoods, and hope.

What makes AgriShield different is how it connects protection with production. Military and police create safe zones while agricultural experts help farmers plant and harvest. Community radio shows in Hausa and Kanuri explain what's happening, and town hall meetings let farmers speak directly to security officials about their concerns.

The program runs from October through December and includes 24 radio talk shows, 80 jingles, and six community meetings where farmers, religious leaders, and young people can ask questions and share worries. Radio reaches 67 percent of residents and is the most trusted source of information, so it anchors the campaign.

Nine federal agencies are working together on AgriShield. The Nigeria Police Force, Defence Headquarters, and Civil Defence Corps provide security. The Federal Radio Corporation broadcasts in more than 25 languages. The National Orientation Agency mobilizes its 4,000 community workers to organize local discussions and performances.

The Ripple Effect

When farmers feel safe enough to return to their land, the benefits spread far beyond one harvest. Children eat better. Markets fill with fresh produce. Young people who might have been recruited by extremists or forced to migrate find work at home instead.

The survey showed that unemployment worried 81 percent of residents, while terrorism concerned 29 percent. People weren't confused about whether extremism was bad. They just needed to see a working alternative built on security, jobs, and delivered promises.

AgriShield will measure its success through an endline survey in December, returning to the same communities to track changes in awareness, trust, and understanding. But the real measure will be simpler: how many farmers make it to their fields, tend their crops through the season, and bring their harvest safely to market.

For families who've spent years afraid to farm, that would mean everything.