Deserted Farmlands and the Threat of Hunger

Recent statements from Niger State Governor Alhaji Umar Bago indicate that upwards of 300,000 farmers have fled their homes due to escalating insecurity in the region. This substantial figure raises significant concerns when considering other states where farmers have similarly been forced to leave their properties, compounding the potential crisis.

For more than a decade, Northern states have grappled with persistent security challenges that jeopardize agriculture, a cornerstone of both the Northern and overall Nigerian economies. Continuous assaults on rural communities by various terrorist factions have consistently diminished agricultural output year after year.

At present, vast tracts of farmland have either been abandoned due to violence or crippled by criminally imposed taxes on farmers, severely hindering agricultural productivity. The ongoing violence across numerous states presents a dire threat to food production.

Moreover, the lack of sufficient support from state governments for farmers has contributed to the observable decline in their production capabilities. The challenges farmers face, including limited access to fertilizers and other essential supplies due to their high cost or availability issues, further inhibit their ability to maximize output.

Additionally, the federal government's food importation policy, while reducing the prices of food items, comes at the expense of local farmers. This policy, executed without adequate safeguards to mitigate unforeseen outcomes, has exacerbated the difficulties faced by farmers of all categories within the country.

It is evident that the drastic decline in food prices has forced millions of farmers out of business, threatening the foundations of commercial agriculture. This decrease in commercial food production investment can be traced back to the overwhelming importation of food without consideration for the fundamental needs of domestic farmers.

Agriculture, a crucial element on the concurrent list of responsibilities for federal and state governments, has been regrettably neglected despite its critical role in national development. The sector requires unwavering attention from government authorities at all levels to achieve self-reliance in food production.

To address the ongoing migration of farmers and the subsequent abandonment of farmlands, it is imperative that both federal and state governments adopt more stringent security measures. Protecting local communities, predominantly composed of farmers, from terrorist attacks is fundamental to agricultural development.

Achieving the coveted food security in Nigeria is contingent upon eliminating the barriers that render farming unprofitable and perilous. Farmers cannot continue their work when their lives are constantly endangered and they lack essential support.

As such, it is critical for federal and state authorities to establish robust security measures that will facilitate agricultural activities, especially in preparation for the rainy season. Efforts should be initiated to encourage the return of displaced farmers to their original communities, alleviating further declines in agricultural production.

The onus to revitalize the agricultural sector lies heavily on the shoulders of Northern state governors, as the sector is pivotal to both regional economic survival and prosperity. They must allocate sufficient resources to eradicate any forces that threaten farming, while simultaneously empowering farmers through incentives.

With the significant increase in monthly allocations from the Federation Account and ongoing federal financial support to the states, governors should be well-positioned to launch and sustain agricultural revitalization initiatives. They should consider launching an initiative akin to ‘Operation Go Back To Farm’ to support the resumption of full agricultural activities.