By Michael Adedotun Oke
The allure of agricultural farming in Nigeria captivates many, yet harsh realities often dampen enthusiasm. Despite these challenges, hope remains for a prosperous future in the nation’s farmlands. As the farming season sets in, ensuring food availability for all Nigerians becomes clear. This requires a fundamental shift in cultivation practices, greater engagement with extension agents, and access to new and improved crop varieties, fertilizers, and resilient livestock breeds.
However, insecurity casts a long shadow over farming communities, making land unworkable and lives precarious. There’s an urgent call for community policing initiatives and joint patrols to curb criminal activities, protect farmers, and reclaim lands. Proactive measures from farmers, supported by robust security frameworks, are essential to safeguard livelihoods and agricultural value chains.
The tragic reports of deaths and brutalization in farming communities are a grave concern, demanding the government’s attention to prioritize and resolve these senseless acts of violence. Direct funding mechanisms are needed to address the seasonal nature of agriculture, expand production, and increase yields consistently.
Proper planning is the cornerstone of development in the agricultural sector. Strategically improving different segments of farming, fostering advanced preservation techniques, implementing efficient transport systems, and ensuring access to the latest technologies and financial support can ensure year-round prosperity. When these elements align, agriculture can provide food and serve as a consistent engine for economic growth and stability across the country.
*Oke is the Executive Director,
Michael Adedotun Oke (MAOF)
maof2020@gmail.com
