Insecurity, Poor, Mechanisation And Collapse Of Extension Services Threaten Nigeria’s Agriculture – AFAN
“Insecurity, Poor, Mechanisation And Collapse Of Extension Services Threaten Nigeria’s Agriculture – AFAN
The Secretary General of the All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), Otunba Dr Babafemi Oke, has raised fresh concerns over the growing threats confronting Nigeria’s agricultural sector, warning that insecurity, inadequate mechanisation, and the near collapse of extension services are undermining productivity and discouraging farmers across the country.
Oke noted that these challenges, if not urgently addressed, could further weaken food systems and deepen the nation’s economic vulnerabilities.
Speaking on Sabenko, a Yoruba-Speaking public affairs programme, on Eagle 102.5 FM, Ilese Ijebu, Ogun State, Oke said the realities on ground reflect a widening gap between policy intentions and actual support for farmers.
According to him, while agriculture is often highlighted as a key solution to Nigeria’s economic challenges, the structural conditions necessary for its success remain largely absent.
He explained that farmers, particularly those in rural communities, are increasingly exposed to security risks, limited access to modern tools, and weak institutional support, creating an environment where farming is both risky and less profitable.
*Insecurity and the Growing Risk to Farmers*
Oke expressed deep concern over the increasing cases of kidnapping and attacks on farmers, linking the trend to the abandonment of agricultural lands and research institutions. He said many of these locations, once active hubs of agricultural development, have now become hideouts for criminal elements.
He noted that the vulnerability of farmers has been exposed by recent incidents involving cocoa farmers who were attacked while working on their farms. According to him, such developments highlight the consequences of neglecting rural security and failing to maintain critical agricultural infrastructure.
Oke said, “When we heard about the kidnapping incident of our members, we were unhappy because these people they kidnapped are cocoa farmers. They went there around 12. We know all of them because they went there to check their cocoa but when that incident happened, it dawn on us that what we didn’t take seriously has affected us.”
He added that the situation calls for urgent and coordinated intervention, particularly at the community level where local knowledge can be leveraged to combat insecurity. He emphasized that traditional hunters, who understand the terrain and forest networks, should be actively engaged in security efforts.
He stated, “Secondly, please help us echo to the government to call all our hunters and discuss with them as they are the ones that know most of these hideouts used by these kidnappers. They should give provide necessary weapons that they can use to fight these criminals. There is no community without hunters. If they can do this, then trust me kidnapping will be a thing of past.”
Abandoned Agricultural Assets and Missed Opportunities
Oke also criticised the continued neglect of agricultural assets such as research institutes and farm settlements, describing them as wasted opportunities that could have strengthened food production and rural economies. He noted that instead of being utilised for research and large-scale farming, many of these facilities have deteriorated over time.
He argued that government has failed to effectively manage these institutions, despite their potential to support innovation and training in agriculture. According to him, repurposing these facilities could provide safer and more structured farming environments.
He maintained that AFAN has consistently advocated for the allocation of such lands to farmers’ groups for productive use, rather than leaving them idle and vulnerable to criminal activity.
Mechanisation Challenges and Limited Access to Equipment
On mechanisation, Oke described the situation as inadequate and largely inaccessible to the average farmer. He explained that despite government efforts to procure agricultural machinery, distribution systems have failed to accommodate the financial realities of most farmers.
He said the majority of farmers still rely on traditional tools such as hoes and cutlasses, which significantly limit productivity and efficiency. According to him, this outdated approach makes large-scale farming nearly impossible for smallholder farmers.
“Just imagine someone using hoe and cutlass for 2 hectares of land, he will just do anyhow job and leave there.” Oke stated.
He further explained that the cost of acquiring tractors and other machinery remains beyond the reach of most farmers, particularly those operating on small plots of land. He criticised the requirement for farmers to pay upfront before accessing government-provided equipment.
He said, “They said we should call our members and tell them to do it by cluster group, that those that have money to collect tractor should pay but how many farmers have money? The bank should be the one to borrow us money to collect the tractor.”
Oke, however, noted that cooperative farming models, where farmers pool resources to share equipment, have provided some relief. He added that smaller, more affordable machinery could significantly improve access and productivity if properly introduced.
Disappearance of Extension Officers
Oke also lamented the decline of agricultural extension services, which he described as a critical link between farmers and modern farming practices. He noted that extension officers, who were once responsible for training and supporting farmers, are no longer visible in many communities.
He explained that their absence has created a knowledge gap, leaving farmers without guidance on improved techniques, pest control, and efficient resource use. According to him, this has contributed to low yields and poor farming outcomes.
Oke said, “We have a section that the government established and they call them extension officers, they move around farms to check out the farmers and put them through but we don’t see these officers again.”
He stressed that restoring extension services would not only improve productivity but also encourage more people, especially young farmers, to engage in agriculture with confidence.
Climate Change and Environmental Pressures
Addressing environmental concerns, Oke pointed to the growing impact of climate change on farming activities, noting that unpredictable weather patterns have disrupted traditional planting cycles. He explained that farmers are increasingly uncertain about the right timing for cultivation, leading to losses.
He said, “There are changes now. Years back we use to say rainy season is June/July but sometimes by march we might start to see rain.”
He also linked climate change to deforestation, warning that unchecked tree cutting has worsened environmental conditions and reduced agricultural stability.
Oke added, “The cutting down of trees has also contributed significantly to climate change and it has affected us seriously.”
He called for stronger environmental regulations and the revival of institutions tasked with managing natural disasters and climate-related challenges.
Leadership, Policy Direction and the Way Forward
Oke concluded by stressing that the success of agricultural reforms depends largely on the commitment of political leaders at all levels. He argued that without genuine interest from state and federal governments, policies aimed at improving agriculture will remain ineffective.
He noted that leadership plays a decisive role in shaping priorities, adding that where governors and policymakers show commitment to agriculture, progress is more visible.
He said, “You see, if the leader of a state does not show interest in agriculture and food, there is no way a commissioner or one director can sweet talk him about it but if the governor take food and agriculture seriously, even the commissioner will adjust and work well.”
Oke maintained that addressing insecurity, improving mechanisation, restoring extension services, and strengthening environmental policies must be treated as interconnected priorities. According to him, only a holistic approach can reposition agriculture as a sustainable driver of Nigeria’s economic growth and food security.
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