Kidnappings, low mechanisation, policy failures crippling Nigeria’s farming sector — AFAN

Chinedum Ukaegbu

All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN) has raised fresh concerns over mounting challenges confronting the country’s agricultural sector, warning that insecurity, poor mechanisation, and the near collapse of extension services are severely undermining productivity and discouraging farmers nationwide.

The Secretary General of AFAN, Otunba Dr Babafemi Oke, who spoke during Sabenko, a Yoruba-language public affairs programme on Eagle 102.5 FM in Ilese-Ijebu, Ogun State, said the current realities in the sector reveal a widening disconnect between policy rhetoric and actual support for farmers.

According to him, while agriculture continues to be promoted as a key pillar for economic diversification and food security, the structural conditions required for its success remain largely inadequate.

He noted that farmers, particularly in rural communities, now operate under increasingly difficult conditions marked by security threats, limited access to modern equipment, and weak institutional backing, making farming both risky and less profitable.

Oke expressed deep concern over the growing cases of kidnapping and attacks targeting farmers, noting that the trend is forcing many to abandon their farms and weakening agricultural productivity.
He cited recent incidents involving cocoa farmers who were attacked while working on their farms, describing the development as a stark reminder of the consequences of neglecting rural security.

“When we heard about the kidnapping incident involving our members, we were deeply concerned. These were cocoa farmers who went to inspect their farms. That incident showed us that what we failed to take seriously has now become a major problem,” he said.

Oke added that many abandoned farmlands and agricultural research institutions have now become safe havens for criminal elements, further compounding insecurity in rural areas.

He called for a more coordinated and community-driven approach to tackling the menace, urging the government to engage local hunters who possess deep knowledge of forest terrains and criminal hideouts.

“There is no community without hunters. If they are properly equipped and engaged, they can help flush out these criminals and significantly reduce kidnapping,” he added.

The AFAN scribe also decried the neglect of agricultural assets such as farm settlements and research institutes, describing them as wasted opportunities for boosting food production and rural development.

He lamented that many of these facilities, once central to agricultural innovation and training, have deteriorated due to poor management and lack of investment.

According to him, repurposing these assets and allocating them to organised farming groups could provide safer and more structured environments for agricultural activities.

On mechanisation, Oke described access to modern farming equipment as grossly inadequate, especially for smallholder farmers who dominate Nigeria’s agricultural landscape.

He noted that despite government interventions, most farmers still rely on crude tools such as hoes and cutlasses, which significantly limit efficiency and output.

“Imagine someone cultivating two hectares of land with just a hoe and a cutlass. Productivity will naturally be low,” he said.

He criticised existing models that require farmers to make upfront payments before accessing tractors and other machinery, arguing that such arrangements exclude the majority who lack financial capacity.

Instead, he advocated for improved financing systems, urging banks to provide accessible credit facilities to farmers.

While acknowledging that cooperative farming models have offered some relief through shared resources, he stressed the need for the government to introduce smaller, more affordable machinery tailored to local realities.

Oke also highlighted the disappearance of agricultural extension officers, describing it as a major setback for the sector.

He explained that extension workers previously served as a vital link between government policies and farmers, guiding modern techniques, pest control, and efficient resource management.

Their absence, he said, has left farmers without critical support, contributing to low yields and poor outcomes.

“Extension officers used to visit farms and guide farmers, but we hardly see them anymore. That gap is affecting productivity,” he noted.

He stressed that reviving extension services would not only improve farming practices but also attract more young people into agriculture.

Beyond structural issues, Oke pointed to the growing impact of climate change on agricultural activities, noting that unpredictable weather patterns have disrupted traditional farming calendars.

He observed that rainfall patterns have become inconsistent, making it difficult for farmers to determine the appropriate planting seasons.

“In the past, we could predict the rainy season, but now rains sometimes start as early as March. This uncertainty affects planning and output,” he said.

He also linked environmental degradation, particularly deforestation, to worsening climate conditions, warning that unchecked tree felling is undermining agricultural stability.

Oke emphasised that meaningful progress in agriculture depends largely on political will and leadership commitment at both state and federal levels.

He argued that where leaders prioritise agriculture, policies are more effectively implemented and outcomes are more visible.

“If a governor does not show interest in agriculture, it becomes difficult for others in the system to drive meaningful change. Leadership sets the tone,” he said.

He called for a holistic approach that addresses insecurity, improves mechanisation, restores extension services, and strengthens environmental policies.

According to him, only a coordinated and sustained effort can reposition agriculture as a viable driver of economic growth, job creation, and food security in Nigeria.