Agriculture and food security in Northern Nigeria, Part II: The impact of mining

Abstract

Mining and agricultural activities are intertwined in such a way that the operation of one affects the other. This is particularly true in northern Nigeria. Over the years, mining activities are seen to negatively affect farming activities in the surrounding communities, as well as livestock grazing and fisheries. Mining is the excavation of useful and economically valuable minerals from deposits in the earth. Despite its potential to generate a large amount of revenue, the mining sector is not adequately regulated, thus, creating a ground for illegal mining activities. These activities, depending on the type of mining, have a spectrum of effects on agricultural activities such as competition for land control and use, pollution of water bodies and exposure of crops and livestock to the harmful effects of heavy metals. The cumulative effects of these activities have modified the agricultural practices, disrupted landscapes, and negatively impacted the availability of food crops in the areas where mining activities are carried out, which in turn threatens the food security of northern Nigeria. This chapter evaluates the negative impacts of mining on agricultural activities in the region, in order to provide evidence for policy makers to take action and foster sustainable solutions.