Opinion

Secure The Farms, Support The Farmers

Rain has begun to fall across many parts of Nigeria, signaling the start of another farming season. In communities like mine in Nasarawa State, farmers have already taken to their fields with determination and hope. Egusi (melon) has already been planted, and the land is gradually coming alive with activity.

But beyond this promising start lies a pressing question: will the necessary support, planning, and protection be provided in time ?. Year after year, Nigeria approaches agriculture with urgency but without the structured planning required to maximize results. This recurring gap continues to undermine the efforts of hardworking farmers.

Farming must be treated as a priority that requires deliberate coordination. Inputs such as fertilizers, herbicides, and improved seeds must be made available early, not when the planting window is already closing. Extension services must be strengthened, and modern techniques must reach rural farmers in practical and accessible ways.

However, the most urgent issue confronting farmers today is insecurity. Across Nigeria, banditry, insurgency, and persistent farmer-herder clashes have continued to push farmers away from their lands. In many areas, people can no longer farm freely due to fear of attacks, destruction of crops, or outright displacement. This situation is both tragic and economically disastrous.

Food production cannot thrive under fear. There must be intense and sustained security measures to protect farming communities. Beyond general assurances, authorities must ensure that law enforcement is proactive and visible in rural areas. Security agencies should be deployed strategically to safeguard farmlands, especially during planting and harvesting seasons.

Crucially, the rule of law must be upheld without compromise. Those who trespass on farmlands, destroy crops, or engage in violent disruptions of farming activities must be apprehended and made to face the full weight of the law. Impunity only encourages repetition; when offenders go unpunished, it sends a dangerous message that such acts are tolerated.

To dissuade these habits, government and community leaders must adopt a combination of firm enforcement and preventive strategies. Clear grazing regulations should be established and strictly enforced. Designated routes and ranching systems, where applicable, should be pursued to minimize conflict.

Traditional institutions and local vigilante structures should also be empowered within the bounds of the law to support intelligence gathering and early warning systems.

At the same time, dialogue mechanisms between farmers and herders must be strengthened to reduce tensions before they escalate into violence. Prevention remains far more effective than reaction.

In addition to insecurity, the rising cost of farming has become a major burden. The prices of fertilizers, herbicides, seeds, and other essential inputs have soared. Hiring tractors and other mechanized equipment is increasingly expensive. Labour costs are high, while fuel prices continue to strain every stage of production; from cultivation to processing and transportation.

For many farmers, these challenges are becoming unbearable. Without intervention, farming risks becoming unviable for the average Nigerian. This would have severe consequences for food availability, affordability, and national stability.

Government must therefore step in with targeted and practical support. Mechanization services should be expanded and made affordable. Credit facilities must be simplified to reach genuine farmers without unnecessary bottlenecks. Investments in storage and processing infrastructure are also essential to reduce post-harvest losses.

It is important to emphasize that Nigerians are not unwilling to work. On the contrary, people are ready to farm, ready to produce, and ready to contribute meaningfully to nation-building. What they require is an enabling environment; one that guarantees safety, reduces costs, and supports productivity.

Nigeria has the land, the manpower, and the potential to achieve food security and even become a major agricultural exporter. However, this potential will remain unrealized without timely and decisive action.

As rain continues to fall and planting intensifies, the window for meaningful intervention is rapidly narrowing. Government at all levels, particularly in my dear Nasarawa State must rise to the occasion with urgency and commitment. Otherwise, we risk facing avoidable consequences: food shortages, rising prices, and deepening hardship.

Yahaya Abdulrahman writes from Nasarawa, Nasarawa State.