FOOD SECURITY VS FARMERS' SECURITY IN NIGERIA

FOOD SECURITY VS FARMERS' SECURITY IN NIGERIA

Nigeria is a blessed country with abundant human and natural resources. One of the key non oil sectors of the country remains agriqculture. However, it is plaqued by rising insecurity where farmers have been regularly attacked, killed and displaced from their ancestral lands. Farmers' security is also threatened by the inability of many of them to enjoy basic amenities such as electricity, clean water, good roads and hospitals  in rural areas. To this end, one begins to wonder how the country can feed itself and export sufficiently as a means of diversifying the economy.

Although, there are many prosperous and wealthy farmers across Nigeria, several others live in abject poverty as they practice subsistence farming. Many farmers are unable to cultivate their vast farmlands due to inability to afford the services of machines and implements. The cost of agrochemicals is also beyond the affordability of many farmers. Governments at national and sub national levels have made some interventions but such schemes usually make limited impacts due to corruption, poor implementation, monitoring  and feedback mechanisms. 

International development partners have made excellent contributions through grants, loans, training and capacity building. However, the real farmers at the fields are denied access to these interventions. It is very important that development partners and donors revamp their monitoring and evaluation strategies in order to ensure that their support reach the farmers. 

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu recently announced the setting up of forest guards to safeguard thousands of Nigerian forests. This is a very commendable policy that would make our bushes safer and translate into making farmers safer. Eventually, food production would be boosted for national sustenance and export. However, the implementation of this policy needs to be taken very seriously and strategically. 

In conclusion, Nigeria must tackle insecurity very seriously in order to boost (not only local food production) foreign direct investment in agriculture. We have lots of abandoned agro allied industries needing resuscitation. The raw materials are also available for newer industries to be established. Therefore, local and foreign investors must feel safe to establish businesses and the government should ensure that adequate security is put in place.

TAKE HOME MESSAGE: PROTECT THE FARMERS TO GUARANTEE FOOD SUFFICIENCY AND ECONOMIC PROGRESS.