We have an incredible opportunity to make significant investments in agricultural production across all 774 local government areas of Nigeria.
By Abayomi Odunowo
In Nigeria, agriculture remains a vital sector of the economy, providing livelihoods for millions of people and contributing significantly to the country’s GDP. However, the high cost of agricultural inputs and equipment has been a major hindrance to the growth and development of the sector. The current agricultural policy being implemented by the federal ministry of agriculture and all state ministries of agriculture has not been effective in reducing the local cost of agriculture consumption, and urgent action needs to be taken to address this issue.
One of the key aims of the agricultural policy is to increase agricultural productivity and ensure food security for the country. However, the high cost of agricultural inputs such as fertilizers, seeds, and machinery has made it difficult for smallholder farmers to increase their productivity and earn a decent income from their farming activities. This has led to a situation where many farmers are unable to make a profit from their labor, leading to a decline in agricultural production and worsening food insecurity in the country.
Furthermore, the high cost of agricultural inputs has also made it difficult for young people to enter the agricultural sector and take advantage of the opportunities available in the industry. With many young people migrating to urban areas in search of better economic opportunities, there is a growing concern that the agricultural sector may not have enough young people to sustain it in the future. This could have serious implications for food security and economic development in the country.
In order to address these challenges, the federal ministry of agriculture and all state ministries of agriculture need to up their game in implementing policies that will reduce the cost of agricultural inputs and equipment for farmers. This could include measures such as subsidies for fertilizer and seeds, providing access to affordable credit for farmers to purchase machinery and equipment, and investing in research and development to improve agricultural productivity.
A national emergency may need to be declared to highlight the urgency of the situation and mobilize resources to address the high cost of agriculture consumption. This could involve working with stakeholders such as farmers’ associations, agricultural input suppliers, financial institutions, and research institutions to develop a comprehensive strategy to reduce the cost of agricultural inputs and equipment.
One of the key challenges in reducing the cost of agriculture consumption is the high level of corruption and inefficiency in the agricultural sector. Many farmers have reported instances of government officials demanding bribes in exchange for access to subsidized inputs, or diverting agricultural inputs meant for smallholder farmers to the black market for a profit. This has undermined the effectiveness of government policies aimed at reducing the cost of agriculture consumption and has led to widespread frustration among farmers.
To address this issue, the federal ministry of agriculture and all state ministries of agriculture need to work with law enforcement agencies to crack down on corruption in the sector and hold accountable those responsible for diverting agricultural inputs and equipment meant for smallholder farmers. This will send a strong message that corruption will not be tolerated and help to restore trust and confidence in government efforts to reduce the cost of agriculture consumption.
The current agricultural policy being implemented by the federal ministry of agriculture and all state ministries of agriculture has not been effective in reducing the local cost of agriculture consumption. Urgent action needs to be taken to address the high cost of agricultural inputs and equipment, and a national emergency may need to be declared to mobilize resources and work with stakeholders to develop a comprehensive strategy to reduce the cost of agriculture consumption. By addressing corruption and inefficiency in the sector and implementing policies to provide access to affordable inputs and equipment for farmers, the government can help to boost agricultural productivity, ensure food security, and create economic opportunities for young people in the agricultural sector.
Media Contacts
Otunba Abdulfalil Abayomi Odunowo
National Chairman AATSG
URL: www.aatsg.org.ng
Tel: +2349053535322
Email: [email protected]
