ABSTRACT:

The study investigates rising food imports and food insecurity arising from low agricultural production in Nigeria. About fifteen (15) social unrests on the global scale had taken place, seven (7) of which were food related. Applying the descriptive research paradigm, it traces low agricultural production and consequent potential food insecurity to low budgetary allocation, the emergence of crude oil as the major foreign exchange earner in Nigeria, corruption and the adoption of the liberal economic policy of privatization, which enjoins the state to abstain from investing in the economy in preference for private investments. It reveals that the agricultural sector hold no appeal to private investors. It suggests that agriculture should be placed in the concurrent list functions for both the federal, state and the local government to jointly fund it growth. The state should pursue Keynesian approach to public policies, particularly in relation to agriculture. This would enable it intervene massively in the sector as against the liberal public policy option which enjoins it not to. This policy framework would enhance the establishment of state farms. This would lead to greater quantity of food production and a defence against food insecurity.