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By Michael Adedotun Oke
Revitalising Nigeria’s agricultural sector requires more than just policies and programmes; it demands strong political will, strategic investment, and consistent government commitment.
Agriculture remains the backbone of the nation’s economy, providing food, employment, and raw materials for industries. However, without decisive action and well-coordinated efforts, the sector will continue to underperform.
For meaningful transformation, the government must prioritise policies that empower farmers, ensure access to arable land, and create an enabling environment for agribusinesses to thrive.
A holistic approach incorporating modern technology, financial support, and infrastructural development is essential to unlocking the full potential of Nigerian agriculture.
The three tiers of government play a crucial role in advancing agriculture by ensuring farmers have access to land and making farming more profitable. This, in turn, will encourage more citizens to cultivate land and invest in various agricultural value chains.
Moreover, governments must implement well-structured policies, projects, and programmes that drive development, accelerate growth, and foster a sense of national pride among Nigerian farmers.
Despite the presence of agricultural extension services in most state-run agricultural development programmes, these services remain underfunded, with a limited number of extension agents assisting farmers.
The extension systems are still underdeveloped, highlighting the urgent need for more agents to support agricultural growth.
Expanding extension services will enable farmers to adopt modern farming technologies, enhance their productivity, compete internationally, and increase their harvests. This, in turn, will promote sustainable agricultural practices and contribute to the country’s economic growth.
Furthermore, ensuring the sector’s sustainability and increasing production require private sector leadership in agricultural production, while the government must create the necessary conditions for the sector to thrive.
Many peasant farmers face security threats on their farms, discouraging others from engaging in cultivation due to safety concerns.
The consequences are evident in rising food costs, post-harvest losses, farmer casualties, and declining foreign investment, largely due to government neglect and inadequate security measures.
Security officers responsible for safeguarding farming villages must improve their efforts to restore peace and encourage farming activities. Farmers should be able to return to their fields, generate income, and contribute to national agricultural development.
Large tracts of farmland in northern Nigeria have been taken over by armed bandits, severely affecting agricultural productivity. Resolving this crisis is essential for market growth and food security.
While the private sector must expand and apply science and technology to farming, the government should also support mechanised and smallholder farmers in securing their farms. This could be achieved through the deployment of vigilante groups and forest rangers.
Moreover, most farming communities lack basic infrastructure, and poor road networks hinder the transportation of farm produce to markets. As a result, food spoilage increases, prices fluctuate, and many farmers struggle to sustain their families. Addressing these infrastructural deficits is crucial for ensuring food security and economic stability.
Nigeria urgently needs well-defined laws and policies to protect farmers, enhance food security, and regulate agricultural investment, trade, and marketing. Legislation must support food production and distribution while ensuring the safety of all stakeholders in the agricultural sector.
Additionally, the country requires laws that mitigate risks and uncertainties in farming. Government investment across all agricultural value chains—including mechanisation—is necessary to modernise Nigeria’s livestock sector and boost agricultural exports.
Policies aimed at supporting both commercial and smallholder farmers should include the timely provision of subsidies, inputs (such as modern machinery, high-yield seeds, fertilisers, and financial assistance through loans and grants), and access to agricultural research.
With the support of the Nigeria Meteorological Agency, farmers can benefit from weather forecasts and artificial intelligence (AI) tools that provide insights into crop and livestock health.
These innovations will enhance productivity, reduce losses, and contribute to the overall sustainability of Nigeria’s agricultural sector.
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