By Faridat Salifu
A staggering 800,000 hectares of farmland in Nigeria’s Middle Belt have been abandoned due to escalating insecurity, according to Gboyega Nasir Isiaka, a member of the House of Representatives.
Addressing the issue at the recent 27th annual convention and lecture series of the Alumni Association of the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Isiaka warned that the widespread abandonment of agricultural land was exacerbating the nation’s food security challenges as the country’s population rapidly grows.
He was delivering a lecture on “Trajectory of Building an Agro-Prosperous and Zero Hunger Nation: The Paradox of Farm Security.”
Representing the Yewa North/Imeko Afon Federal Constituency, Isiaka highlighted the alarming trend of food insecurity and increasing vulnerability among farmers in the region.
The lawmaker emphasized that despite Nigeria’s vast arable land, rich water resources, and resilient farming population, insecurity had become a critical barrier to the country’s agricultural potential.
He said the abandonment of farmlands, compounded by rising conflict between farmers and herders, has led to a massive decline in agricultural productivity.
Isiaka cited the importance of addressing these challenges through targeted interventions such as the establishment of ranches for livestock and a more equitable land allocation system to resolve disputes and protect farmers’ access to secure land.
Related Posts
He stressed the urgency of transforming the agricultural sector, noting that more than 70 percent of Nigerians depend on agriculture for their livelihoods.
With the nation’s population projected to reach 400 million by 2050, Isiaka warned that food insecurity and its effects on agricultural productivity could undermine national security and economic stability if left unchecked.
Isiaka also advocated for sustainable farming practices, improved food distribution systems, and enhanced storage and preservation infrastructure as critical measures for securing Nigeria’s agricultural future.
The crisis of farmland abandonment in the Middle Belt is not isolated, according to other leaders at the event.
Hon. Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim, Chairman of the occasion, revealed that over 500,000 farmers were displaced from their lands between 2022 and 2024 due to insecurity, resulting in a loss of more than N2 trillion in agricultural output.
He also pointed to a severe decline in farming activities, particularly in the Middle Belt, where production of vital crops such as maize and yam had fallen by over 70 percent.
The event also featured a contribution from the Global President of the FUNAAB Alumni Association, Bolaji Gbadamosi, who highlighted the Association’s efforts to promote food sufficiency.
Gbadamosi announced the acquisition of 2,000 acres of land for an Alumni Farm as part of a broader initiative to bolster the country’s agricultural capacity in the face of growing challenges.
Professor Olusola Kehinde, Vice Chancellor of the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, praised the Alumni Association for its continued commitment to the development of the institution and the agricultural sector.
The discussion underscored the need for a multifaceted approach to tackling insecurity, enhancing agricultural productivity, and addressing the root causes of food insecurity in Nigeria.
