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Farmers’ plight: How machinery shortages, costs killing Nigeria’s agricultural growth
Despite repeated calls to boost agricultural production, Nigerian farmers still struggle to access the essential machinery needed to cultivate their lands.
Although the nation has vast uncultivated tracts, the high cost and limited availability of agricultural equipment remain significant obstacles.
These challenges have resulted in higher prices for agricultural products, stalling the country’s overall agricultural development.
The high cost of food in the market is closely linked to the limited availability of machinery and the scarcity of spare parts needed for maintenance. The few tractors currently in use are in high demand, yet efforts to introduce more are being thwarted by the prohibitive costs, which many farmers cannot afford.
This lack of machinery is a crucial factor that requires immediate attention if the nation is to improve its food production capabilities.
Challenges in acquiring and maintaining agricultural machinery
The pricing and upkeep of tractors and other agricultural machinery present additional challenges. There is a scarcity of machinery for tasks such as cultivation, planting, processing, spraying, preservation, and storage.
Consequently, many farmers are unable to expand their cultivation efforts. When tractors break down, they face transportation issues due to poor infrastructure in most farming communities.
This situation has contributed to the high cost of food and exacerbated the difficulties faced by Nigerian farmers.
The need for improved machinery and processing equipment
To increase food availability in the market, there is a pressing need to import new machinery for land cultivation.
The introduction of additional tractors and other equipment would enhance land cultivation and foster increased food production.
Moreover, the demand for processing equipment is rising rapidly, as delays in transporting agricultural products from one location to another continue to be a concern.
Addressing these issues would reduce food prices, improve profitability, and encourage more individuals to engage in large-scale agricultural production.
Investing in food preservation and storage systems
As more farmers produce a variety of crops, the need to preserve and process these items for timely storage becomes paramount. This will ensure that agricultural products are available throughout the off-seasons, thereby stabilising prices and improving food security. Investment in machinery and the construction of silos for food storage would expand the marketing value chain and contribute to economic growth by creating employment opportunities.
Given the current food shortage, immediate attention must be given to acquiring easily fabricated machinery for safe handling, preservation, and distribution of agricultural produce. Additionally, implementing vertical farming techniques and promoting effective storage systems would enable farmers to cultivate more land, thereby increasing profitability and overall productivity.
Addressing overproduction and enhancing storage facilities
While many agricultural products are being harvested, it is essential to establish more processing centres to preserve and store these items, ensuring their availability during the off-seasons.
Expanding the number of storage facilities would help maintain the long-term value of food products, contributing to overall national food security.
Michael Adedotun Oke,
Project Facilitator, Talent Upgrade Global Concept, Michael Adedotun Oke Foundation, Plot 232 Kaida Road, Old Kutunku, Gwagwalada, Abuja, Nigeria
maof2020@gmail.com
+23408027142077