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How anyone can help beat food insecurity

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Lukas Lottersberger | Tesem Akende
March 25, 2026

In north-central Nigeria, urban households plagued by conflict are growing their own food – in sacks. It requires neither field nor garden. Displaced families can feed themselves and others, despite rising food prices.

The idea is as simple as it is effective. Urban farming can thrive even without a traditional garden—as shown by 65‑year‑old Jepshi Wonbish in north‑central Nigeria. Using sacks filled with organic fertilizer, he grows vegetables like maize, carrots, and spinach all year round, even on concrete. His harvest is abundant enough to share with neighbors, offering a healthy, chemical‑free alternative in the face of rising food prices and increasing displacement from the unrest in northern Nigeria. Experts say sack farming could play a key role in fighting urban food insecurity if more people receive training, seedlings, and support.

Lukas Lottersberger Multimedia journalist, reporter and producer, covering global news and environmental innovations.
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