Olusegun Adeyemo
The Dean, School of Applied Sciences, Federal College of Agriculture, FCA, Moor Plantation, Ibadan, Dr. Olutayo Adenekan, has urged the government at all levels to provide basic amenities for farmers to further encourage food production in the country.
Speaking in an interview with The Journal Nigeria,” Dr. Adenekan said subsidising farm inputs, provision of loans, curtailing insecurity would enhance the development of agriculture.
According to him, very few Nigerians are actively engaged in food production, while the majority are only consumers.
He identified the lack of access to affordable loans, the high cost of fertilizers and farm equipment, and the politicization of agricultural credit schemes as major obstacles discouraging genuine farmers.
“The government is not giving loans directly to farmers. Politics has taken over the process. If agricultural loans are subsidized and made available, people will embrace farming because agriculture pays,” he stressed.
The entomologist further highlighted insecurity as another key factor hindering food production, as many farmers have been displaced from their farmlands due to violent attacks.
To address the crisis, Dr. Adenekan recommended that every local government area in Nigeria should cultivate at least 1,000 hectares of crops suitable to their environment, with land allocated directly to farmers.
He also called for the government to reduce food importation, invest in mechanization, provide good rural roads, and revive staple crop programmes such as rice cultivation projects.
Dr. Adenekan emphasized the need to make agriculture attractive to young people, stressing that increased youth participation is critical for sustainable food production.
“If government invests in infrastructure, supports farmers with inputs, and makes agriculture appealing to the youth, Nigeria can overcome food shortages and even export food to other countries,” he added.