Youth in Agriculture: An in-depth review on the attraction farming has on youths in the evolution of Nigerian economy Part II

Problems farmers face in Nigeria

1. Poor implementation of Government policies:

The sole role of Government is to provide operational enabling environment in all sectors, agricultural sector inclusive. Over the years Government has policies that supposed to better or curb a lot of problems in agriculture in Nigeria. The Government has tried by subsidizing improved seedling, farm machines and fertilizers. At the same time they have failed to monitor and ensuring evenly distribution of the machines, fertilizer and improved seedling to the grassroot farmers. Thereby leaving it in the hand of corrupt middle men that jeopardize Government efforts.

To ensure that the farmers get the right seedling and fertilizer, they should sustain the e-wallet distribution policy. E-wallet distribution was initiated by Jonathan Goodluck’s Government; where farmers get farm inputs direct from government at subsidized rate. Thereby eliminating the corrupt middle men that sell those things to the neighbouring countries instead of our farmers.

Herdsmen/Farmers Clash:

This is the latest out of the problems affecting youths participation in agriculture and the most devastating one indeed, because it involves the life of farmers, crops and animals. Many farmers lost their lives in a bid to protect their farms from Fulani herdsmen. To curb this problem Government should encourage ranching and total abolishing of open grazing farming.

Lack of the Use of Adequate Farming Equipment:

Using the right tools/equipment for any job makes working and productivity easy and smooth. Likewise, using the right farming equipment makes farming easier with high yielding. In other words, mechanized farming is the other of the day. Use of crude tools such as hoe, cutlass has greatly affected the interest of youths in agriculture and as well productivity. To solve this problem Government should import and sell these equipment (tractor, planters, harvesters) etc., on hire purchase to the farmers.

Lack of Social Amenities:

A typical modern farming environment need adequate light, water and road network. This is lacking in most farms in Nigeria, especially the poor road networks which make it difficult for farmers to transport their product from farm to home/market. Government should construct good roads, connecting rural to urban areas.

Illiteracy:

This has been and will still be a major problem of agriculture because most Nigerian youths that are into farming reside in remote areas where there are no schools, and some with little or no educational background. Most agricultural activities need some calculations such as planting space, fertilizer mixing ratio quantity of fertilizer to be applied in an acre of land for different crops etc.

Government should set up agricultural adult education specifically for farmers. Also specialized agriculturists should be employed to carry out agricultural education in the remote areas.

Lack of Access to Agricultural Loan:

This is a serious factor because everything in agriculture is money. Although, Nigeria Government dedicates billions of naira to farmers as loan, yet farmers cannot access it due to Government bureaucracy.

I strongly suggest that Government create an avenue of directly monitoring every farmer they grant loan. In fact, Government should abolish loans and approve grants where no farmer should pay back with interest.

Loss of Land to Natural Disaster such as Erosion:

A lot of states in Nigeria especially Southeastern states are under serious threat by erosion. In fact, millions of hectares of land has been eroded by both soil and gully erosion. The effect is devastating because there is loss of farmland and vegetation, thereby affecting food production in Nigeria.

Government should set up some erosion control methods e.g. buffer strip, contour bunding, contour plowing etc.

Lack of Access to Fertilizer and Improved Seedlings:

Proper use of fertilizer and improved seedlings increases farm produce by over 400%. Although, Government have made a channel of distributing subsidized fertilizer and improved seedling, yet it does not get to the farmers. This is as a result of bodies/agencies responsible for the distribution being corrupt and fraudulent. They short change the farmers and sell them on black market.

Government should supervise the distribution directly and as well set up task force to monitor the distributions.

Lack of Modern Storage Facilities:

In all the problems this poses more challenge to food security. Research has shown that over 80% of food produced by Nigerian farmers perishes due to lack of modern storage facilities.

Government should construct silos, silage and barns for food storage at different strategic points/places throughout the country. Additionally, farmers can be trained on how to make local storage facilities that can sustain their product over a period of time.

Poor Market:

There are no readily markets for farm produce in Nigeria. Though, there are some such as Dawano market in Kano State but they are not organized to accept all the farm produce from the Northwest of Nigeria.

Government should build agricultural markets where people from all over the nation can come to buy. Also, government should buy from farmers when there is surplus after harvest and store in other to supply when there is demand at an affordable rate.

Source: A Webinar delivered by Mr. Anozie Christopher  0n 21st of August 2021 at Hezekiah Oluwasanmi Foundation Monthly Seminar (Part 2)

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