As families struggle to put food on their tables, the crucial question remains: what is hindering Nigeria, a nation blessed with arable land and a vibrant farming community, from achieving food security and alleviating the suffering of its people?
In this exclusive interview with Lizzy Chirkpi of Pointblank News, the National President of the All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), Kabir Ibrahim offers a candid assessment of the federal government’s agricultural interventions, the challenges faced by Nigerian farmers, and the way forward to ensure food sufficiency and security for all Nigerians.
Why is food security still a long walk despite federal government’s agricultural investment and several programmes in the past few years?
Well, over a long period, starting from the COVID-19 pandemic, the global food system has faced numerous challenges. In Nigeria, we experienced severe flooding in 2022, and we continue to grapple with insecurity. We’ve also had some policy inconsistencies. What the federal government is doing now is, from their perspective, a work in progress. However, Nigerian agriculture primarily takes place at the sub-national level. Therefore, greater effort is needed from state and local governments to achieve sustainable food sufficiency in Nigeria.
Do you believe the Anchor Borrowers’ Programme, as introduced by the Federal Government, genuinely benefited the average Nigerian farmer?
I prefer not to dwell on the past. Even those who initiated the Anchor Borrowers’ Programme have moved away from it. So, I don’t think it’s productive to focus on that or assign blame. The Anchor Borrowers’ Programme is no longer in operation. The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) is exploring alternative interventions. On April 17, we had a meeting where they engaged with stakeholders and formed several committees to develop recommendations for agricultural support from the CBN’s perspective. We are currently awaiting the outcome of that process.
Considering the prevalent insecurity in the North and Middle Belt regions with a significant farming population, what are the implications for national food production and the export potential? How can farmers produce enough under these circumstances?
I wouldn’t say that insecurity in the North mostly affects farmers; it affects everyone in Nigeria. Insecurity is a threat to food security globally. If farmers cannot access their farms safely and consistently, their production will be suboptimal, leading to potential shortfalls. However, insecurity is just one of many factors contributing to insufficient food in Nigeria. We also need to consider climate change, the low levels of mechanization, and the unaffordability of fertilizers and other essential inputs. These are all critical issues that need to be addressed.
Is Nigeria genuinely on track to achieve food sufficiency?
What do you mean by “genuinely”? If “genuine” implies a lack of apathy or distrust, then the relationship between the government and the people is key. We elect leaders to provide direction. When we are dissatisfied with that leadership, we have the option to change it. Efforts to improve a nation are always ongoing; even the United States faces its own set of problems. Nigeria, as a nation, has its challenges, but the people we elected are working diligently to address them. We should hold them accountable, providing feedback and suggesting constructive ways to achieve better results. Condemnation and blame alone will not lead to progress. Issues like insecurity and inconsistent policy implementation are human factors rooted in our national character.
What specific steps must the federal government take to avert a looming food crisis?
On April 16, we were inaugurated as the agricultural sector working group, aligning with the Kampala Declaration. All of Africa is focused on building a better agri-food system, and Nigeria is playing its part. Within Nigeria, numerous support programs are being initiated by donor organizations and institutions like the African Development Bank. These efforts need to converge to significantly strengthen Nigeria’s food system. The crucial element is transparent and effective implementation for the benefit of all.
There seems to be a significant focus on federal-level interventions. Are state governments adequately supporting farmers within their respective domains?
You observed a significant focus, and perhaps it’s more accurate to say we tend to rely heavily on what the federal government should do. However, as I mentioned earlier, agriculture primarily occurs at the sub-national level – the states and local government areas. Agricultural development should be driven from there. The federal government’s role is primarily to create an enabling environment for optimal production. The states and local governments have a more direct and substantial role since that’s where the farms are located. There are no farms here in Abuja, for instance.
Considering your role as National President, with interactions with state chairpersons of the farmers’ association, are state and local governments providing meaningful support to Nigerian farmers?
Many states are indeed beginning to actively support agriculture. We accompanied the President to Niger State for the launch of their mechanization program. States like Borno and Kaduna, with the SPAZ initiative, and Benue, among others, are also working towards this. However, like Oliver Twist, we urge them to do more, to be more focused, and to invest properly in agriculture. We should prioritize agricultural investment over, for example, excessive road construction when people are struggling with basic needs.
There’s often a disconnect between what is perceived as progress for agriculture and broader notions of progress that don’t necessarily align with the farmer’s immediate needs. For a farmer, progress means having access to necessary inputs at their doorstep, readily available and affordable, like a common consumer good. The past Presidential Fertilizer Initiative (PFI), which made fertilizer available at a uniform price of N5,500 nationwide, is an example we should revisit.
All essential inputs should be easily accessible and affordable to farmers for optimal production. Furthermore, security is paramount; farmers need to be able to access their farms without fear. We also need to improve our transport infrastructure and ensure access to reliable energy for processing to prevent post-harvest losses. Achieving food sufficiency and becoming a significant player in the global and African agricultural space requires a comprehensive effort. As the “Giant of Africa” with a large regional market, we have a responsibility to do more, especially with a rapidly growing population projected to double in the next 25 years. We need less talk and more action.
Regarding action and progress, what is your association doing to ensure Nigerian farmers adopt innovations and technologies, as seen in other countries, to move beyond traditional practices and increase productivity?
Let me clarify something. It’s not solely about what the government or our association is “doing.” We are farmers, an association, an NGO. Innovation and technology in agriculture aren’t just about high-tech equipment. Technology can be a methodology, a different way of doing things. Innovation can involve new planting techniques or land management practices. Our association plays a role in educating farmers and making these methods accessible, and farmers are adopting them.
However, there are higher levels of technology that they are also being exposed to. The government, through the Ministry of Science and Technology and science incubation centres, is also contributing. We are seeing the emergence of digital extension services and centers for food quality. It’s a combination of efforts that will strengthen the agricultural food system, and we need to embrace these advancements. Biotechnology, including genetically modified (GM) crops, is another area. With a population exceeding 200 million and projected to reach 400 million, we need to explore all viable options to ensure food security, similar to how China and India manage their large populations. They are moving beyond conventional technologies into biotechnology, genetic engineering, and genome editing. That’s why they are food secure.
Even Brazil, once considered a developing nation, is now a net exporter of agricultural innovation, technology, and food, often utilizing GM crops. Countries don’t overcome poverty without embracing innovation and thinking creatively. Nigeria must do the same; we have no alternative. We also need to achieve year-round production, moving beyond solely relying on rain-fed agriculture to feed our growing population and meet regional demands.
A significant amount of work is required, and it demands action, taking our destiny into our own hands. The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the importance of self-reliance. Countries that were once inward-looking, like China and Russia, have demonstrated the potential for growth through focused internal development. Nigeria has the talent and resources to do the same. Young people, in particular, need to step forward and drive this change, starting with ensuring food security, as a hungry populace cannot innovate effectively.
My advice is to move beyond blame and noise-making. Identify a specific area within agriculture, develop expertise, and become a model for others. That’s how real progress happens. Look at the Netherlands, a country smaller than Kano, yet their agricultural income is second only to the United States. They are a testament to what focused effort can achieve. Ultimately, individual initiative is crucial. When someone claims to be unemployed at 27 or 30, it often reflects a lack of employability. Those with valuable skills will always be in demand.
Building on your last point, the federal government recently launched the “Green Money” initiative in Abeokuta, spearheaded by the President’s Chief Adviser, Yunusa Abiodun. This program aims to engage and equip young people with skills to embrace agriculture as a viable livelihood. What advice would you offer to these young individuals and young people generally regarding this opportunity?
I wholeheartedly welcome any initiative that incentivizes young people to view agriculture as a business. Whether it’s called “Green Money” or anything else, if it motivates them and demonstrates the potential for prosperity in agriculture, they should embrace it wholeheartedly. It is the way forward. Consider a young engineering graduate who has completed their National Youth Service. Their starting salary in the public sector might not even be enough to cover basic necessities like bread. Therefore, supplementing their income with agricultural activities is a smart move.
Agriculture is unique in that it allows participation regardless of one’s primary profession. Young people should explore all facets of agriculture for fulfilling employment opportunities. The pursuit of scarce “blue” or “white” collar jobs will not solve the unemployment crisis. In countries like China and the UK, a relatively small percentage of the population is employed by the government, yet their economies thrive due to other sectors, including agriculture.
Nigeria has vast untapped potential in agriculture to provide widespread employment. Unlike land-scarce nations that resort to vertical or hydroponic farming, Nigeria possesses over 80 million hectares of land, with only about 40% currently under cultivation. The focus should be on making cultivable and irrigable land accessible to young people.
The “Green Money” initiative in Ogun State is a positive step that should be replicated in Abuja and other parts of the country. The oil sector is proving increasingly volatile. The cost of fuel is exorbitant, often exceeding monthly salaries. We have no real alternative but to work and develop our agricultural sector. I am often surprised by people claiming a lack of jobs; opportunities abound, even for farm laborers.