By Femi Oyelola
Food remains a crucial component of post-conflict reconstruction and there is no doubt that food insecurity has exacerbated the humanitarian crisis in Nigeria, following Boko Haram insurgency, and the current nefarious activities of bandits and kidnappers
Nigeria’s mounting food crisis lurks behind rising security challenges and structural vulnerabilities. Even as climate change also impacts the environment and farming communities, the effects of violence and conflict have been dire.
The farmers-herders clash is usually identified as one of the most significant causes of food insecurity in the country. Now, targeted attacks on farmers and farming communities by Boko Haram insurgents and armed bandits may have increased the tempo of threats on Nigeria’s food insecurity.
While the food crisis is increasing humanitarian emergencies in the country, attacks on farmers leave less to be desired.
Undeniably, Nigeria’s food insecurity is tied to human security, climate impact and government responses.
Attacks on farmers have made farming unsafe while the destruction of farmlands has contributed to the problem.
Therefore, voices from different opinion groups have been urging the government to make efforts to nip the ravaging food crisis in the bud by taking proactive measures to curtail this.
Nigeria’s food crisis, in it severer form, may be lurking areound the corner. But without an urgent and comprehensive series of actions, the entire nation will be enveloped by the consequences of full-blown food insecurity. Government must act now, and act fast, Nigerians have urged.
Interestingly, Vice President Senator Kashim Shettima walked the talk recently in Kaduna when he observed that there is a need to transform the lives of Nigeria’s farmers and elevate the agricultural sector.
The Vice President emphasised his principal’s commitment to ensuring food sufficiency while protecting local industries for sustainable economic growth.
Reacting to this, Dr Ayuba Moses of Food for All Initiative, Abuja said that the government must mobilise a stakeholder-wide consultation to address Nigeria’s food problem.
He added that aggressive efforts should be improved in farming communities that have become prone to violent attacks. In this regard, security agencies must liaise with community actors to map out modalities for farming activities to ensure the safety of farmers and the protection of farmlands, according to him.
Many farming communities, according to him, are caught in the triangle of conflict, climate change and ineffectual policies. He said government and development partners must increase intervention efforts geared towards food security.
“As agricultural production has become tied to safety, such intervention efforts must have a security component to promote safe farming for community members. Nigeria’s food crisis may be lurking at a distance. But without an urgent and comprehensive series of actions, the entire nation will be enveloped by the consequences of full-blown food insecurity. Government must act now, and act fast,” he added.
However, the Vice President has remarked that there is a need to transform the lives of Nigeria’s farmers and elevate the agricultural sector to an enviable level.
Speaking at the launching of the Kashim Shettima Foundation’s Agricultural Empowerment Programme, in Kaduna recently the Vice President, heralded the commencement of distribution of tractors, seeds, fertilizers, herbicides, and other essential farming inputs to beneficiary farmers for the 2024 farming season.
He described farmers in the country as “the underappreciated heroes who till the soil, sow the seeds, and nourish our nation, to whom we owe a mountain of appreciation for putting the county first, come rain or shine,” noting that it is their unwavering commitment that sustains the country.
The vice president promised that the gesture is in honour of the nation’s resilient farmers, assuring that the Tinubu administration will take action to unlock the nation’s agricultural potential and provide essential support to farmers.
Agriculture, he stressed, has always been a strong pillar of Nigeria’s economy, contributing one out of every five US Dollars to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and providing livelihoods and sustenance for 36% of the labour force – remaining the highest employer in Nigeria for millions of our citizens.
“However, the landscape is both promising and challenging; on one hand, we possess abundant arable land, diverse climates, and a rich agricultural heritage. Yet, on the other hand, we face significant hurdles which hinder our full potential.
“Hurdles such as droughts, input shortages due to rising costs, lack of access to finance, conflicts, outdated agricultural practices which result in low productivity, and the absence of value addition and supply-chain linkages.
“In Kaduna State, we see a pressing need for intervention to boost agricultural productivity and empower our farmers, this need is also an opportunity. According to recent data, Kaduna has vast agricultural potential – ranking 4th in the list of agricultural-producing states, and is an undisputed leader in the production of crops such as maize and ginger in Nigeria.
“Thus, Agriculture is an undisputed economic driver here. Despite this, only a fraction of its arable land is currently utilised due to challenges arising from flooding, desertification, limited grazing lands and conflicts.
“This underutilization not only limits economic growth but also exacerbates food insecurity in the region and by extension across the country. We must take action to unlock this potential and support our farmers in cultivating their land effectively, especially in the face of the difficulties plaguing our economy in these times.
“It is for these reasons that the Kashim Shettima Foundation’s Agricultural Empowerment Program has decided to uplift our farmers, and farmer cooperatives in Kaduna to enhance food security.
“Through this initiative, I commit to supporting the cultivation of 500 hectares of land in Kaduna through the provision of farming inputs which are seed-applied, soil-applied and foliar applied alongside technical direction, extension and good agronomic practices support to beneficiaries of this initiative.
“Financial empowerment will also be provided to the tune of 100 thousand Naira per month to each of the 50 beneficiaries for a period of 4 months which covers the planting period, after which farmer cooperatives (comprising 50 farmers) will be given startup funds of up to 30 million Naira to establish full-fledged commercial farms.
“All of this aims to enhance productivity and boost yields, ultimately sustaining our families and fuelling our economy even further.
“I want to also use this opportunity to reiterate Mr President’s commitment to ameliorating the challenges facing the country as is evidenced in his recent directives to release 42,000 metric tons of grains from strategic reserves and reduce the cost of agricultural inputs by 93% through subsidies, to improve food security.
“The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security is also working assiduously with the states to ensure the cultivation of more than 500,000 hectares of farmland in 2024.
“The Federal Government’s commitment to improving the state of agriculture in Nigeria continues to remain unshaken as can also be seen with the implementation of several impactful policies and programmes some of which include: Nigeria–Africa Trade and Investment Promotion Programme, Presidential Economic Diversification Initiative and the Presidential Initiative for Agribusiness Development.
“In Kaduna State, the efforts of the Kaduna State Government under the effective leadership of the Governor and in collaboration with the private sector involvement have driven targeted policy formulation and implementation, corroborating our collective resolve to address challenges across the agricultural value chain.
“By investing in agriculture and empowering our farmers, we achieve more than increased yields. We foster economic growth, reduce poverty, achieve sustained peace and enhance food security. Our fields become classrooms for the next generation, teaching them the art of sustainable agriculture as the impact of this initiative will not only be felt in Kaduna but will resonate across the entire nation.
“In the words of an ancient proverb: “When you plant a seed, you plant hope.” Let us sow the seeds of progress, nurture them with care, and reap a bountiful harvest for Kaduna, for Nigeria, and for generations to come.”
Earlier, Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State declared his administration’s support for the initiative and expressed gratitude to the Vice President for honouring the state to pilot the project.
Represented by his Deputy, Dr Hadiza Sabuwa Balarabe, Governor Sani, emphasised that Kaduna State identified with the initiative and would do all it could to support its implementation.
“Your Excellency, you have demonstrated that you are not just our leader but you are a friend of Kaduna. You have been extending a hand of friendship, whether during difficult times or at times like this, and we are indeed very grateful,” the governor said.
On his part, Malam Murtala Dabo, Kaduna State Commissioner for Agriculture, said the scheme is a beacon of hope for the youths, a catalyst for economic growth, and part of a solution to the multifaceted challenges facing the agricultural sector.
Also, Engr. Baba Kachallah, Chairman of the Kashim Shettima Foundation, explained that the initiative would take off with the provision of 10 tractors, adding that 50 farmers per state would be trained to become full-fledged ecopreneurs and that they would be provided with land, fertilizer, sprayers, planters, pesticides, herbicides, seeds and working capital ahead of the beginning of the rainy season.
For his part, Dr Joshua Zira, Head, of Agric (North) Strategy, Partnership and Solid Mineral Corporate and Investment Banking of Sterling Bank Ltd, said the initiative is coming even at the right time, noting that the bank will support the Foundation from the beginning all through.
At the monent, the Agricultural sector is witnessing a revolution with the signing of an agreement by The federal government with the Brazilian Government and German Deutsch Bank Group as financiers of a facility of 995 million euros for the Green Imperative Programme.
This programme according to the minister of Agriculture and food security, Abubakar Kyari will provide mechanization hubs across the 774 local government areas in Nigeria when implemented, minister of agriculture and food security, Abubakar Kyari said in Minna Tuesday.
“A memorandum of understanding between the Federal Government and the John Deer Group, a subsidiary of Tata Equipment, was signed.
“The manufacturer has signed to deliver 10,000 units of tractors and implement in tranches of 2,000 units per annum for the next five years.
“The Greener Hope Initiative is another veritable platform the federal government is deploying to ultimately change the deficit narrative in the Nigerian agricultural mechanization space,’’ he added.
In his reaction, the youth leader in U/Rimi in Kaduna North local government Area, Yusuf Ibrahim, said for long Kaduna state farmers have not had it so good.
According to him, the tractors and other assistance provided by Kashim Shettima Foundation’s Agricultural Empowerment Program are a paradigm shift and new down for the neglected farmers. This, according to him, is what leadership is all about focused and planning for the future.
Similarly, Mrs Dinah Dauda from Zagon Kataf LGA said her joy can not be quantified because of the noble initiative. She only appealed to the implementers of the project to ensure equity and transparency.
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