This study examines the implications of rural banditry on agricultural productivity and household food security in Takum Local Government Area of Taraba State, Nigeria. The study adopted an ex-post facto research design and utilized both primary and secondary sources of data. Primary data were collected through the administration of structured to the selected respondents in the study area, while secondary data were obtained from scholarly articles, government publications, policy documents, and other relevant literature. The data were analyzed to determine the extent to which rural banditry has affected agricultural production and household food security. The findings reveal that rural banditry has significantly reduced farmers’ access to farmlands, lowered crop yields, weakened livestock production, and discouraged active participation in agricultural activities due to persistent insecurity. The study further establishes that these disruptions have adversely affected the four dimensions of household food security availability, accessibility, utilization, and stability resulting in reduced local food production, rising food prices, declining household incomes, and deteriorating nutritional outcomes. Evidence from both the field survey and secondary sources indicates that the situation in Takum reflects the broader pattern of insecurity and food insecurity experienced across many parts of northern Nigeria. The study concludes that rural banditry constitutes not only a serious security challenge but also a major obstacle to sustainable agricultural development and household resilience. It therefore recommends strengthened security measures, enhanced collaboration between government and local communities, and the implementation of targeted agricultural and livelihood support programmes to restore food security and improve the welfare of rural households in Takum Local Government Area.

Keywords: Rural Banditry, Agricultural Productivity, Household Food Security, Rural Insecurity, Food Availability, Food Accessibility, Food Utilization, Food Stability, Livelihoods, Takum Local Government Area, Taraba State, Nigeria.