Unlocking Sustainable Food Security: System Dynamics Modelling of Nigeria’s Food System for Biodiversity, Resilience and Grow

Wednesday, July 30, 2025, 5:45 AM

Session: Student Plenary (Morning, 30th of July)

This research investigated the dynamic network of feedback loops within Nigeria's food system, identifying four root cause variables and five key outcome variables that shape the food system and food security in Nigeria. The study highlights the important roles played by agrochemical and tractor use, seed outsourcing, monocropping, and mixed cropping in influencing the broader food system. It underscores the importance of mixed cropping as a potent strategy in promoting biodiversity, employment, soil health, and long-term sustainability. Furthermore, the paper advocates for a system thinking approach to food security policies that prioritize these key variables and their interconnections. By applying systems thinking, this research aims to provide viable insights for policymakers and stakeholders to develop more informed and effective strategies for sustainable food security, while also highlighting the need to reconsider monocropping practices in favour of Agrobiodiversity and overall system health. This holistic analysis of food system dynamics offers a robust framework for managing the complex challenges facing food security in Nigeria and beyond.