By Faridat Salifu
Agricultural stakeholders in Nigeria have called for improved security measures and stronger collaboration among federal, state, and local governments to enhance food production and strengthen the country’s food systems.
The call was made on Wednesday in Lagos during a Food Security and Socioeconomic Stability discussion focused on agriculture in Nigeria, where experts examined persistent challenges affecting farming and food supply.
Speaking at the event, Hussein Gadain, who represented the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), emphasized the importance of preventing conflicts rather than responding to them after they occur.
He noted that preventive approaches had previously helped reduce clashes between farmers and herders, adding that such strategies should be strengthened to avoid future disruptions in food production.
Gadain warned that insecurity, particularly banditry, has significantly limited farmers’ access to their farmlands, especially in the North-East, where vast agricultural areas have been abandoned due to safety concerns.
He urged government authorities to prioritise security investments that would allow farmers to safely return to cultivation and boost national food output.
He also called for greater responsibility at the state level, explaining that since land administration falls largely under state control, agricultural policies must be effectively implemented locally to achieve meaningful impact.
A representative of the Minister of Agriculture said the federal government is already collaborating with states through various initiatives aimed at increasing productivity, including fertiliser distribution programmes and rural road development projects.
He added that financial constraints remain a major challenge, given Nigeria’s population size, which is why partnerships with private investors and international organisations are being encouraged to support the sector.
The President of the All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), Kabir Ibrahim, identified weak monitoring systems as one of the major setbacks in the agricultural sector.
He stressed the need to treat agriculture as a commercial enterprise rather than just subsistence farming, noting that farmers require improved training, access to modern technology, and better support systems for processing and marketing their produce.
He also pointed out that while food is available in markets, many Nigerians struggle to afford it due to low purchasing power.
Ibrahim recommended that each geo-political zone focus on crops best suited to their environment to improve efficiency and reduce production pressure.
He further called for increased investment in food processing to add value locally instead of relying heavily on raw agricultural exports.
The discussions ended with a consensus that stronger security, better funding, and deeper collaboration between all levels of government are essential to improving agricultural productivity and ensuring food security in Nigeria.
