Agronomist Calls for Greater Local Government Investment in Agriculture to Tackle Food Inflation
An agronomist, Dr. Oluwaseun Adesanmi, has called on Local Government Area (LGA) chairmen in Ekiti State and across Nigeria to invest more aggressively in agriculture as part of efforts to address rising food prices and strengthen food security.
Speaking in Otun-Ekiti, Adesanmi said increased grassroots investment in agriculture could significantly reduce the pressure on food inflation, particularly if local governments actively support the cultivation of staple crops such as yam, maize, cassava, beans, tomatoes, pepper, and vegetables.
According to him, many communities possess vast areas of fertile land capable of supporting large-scale food production but remain underutilized due to inadequate investment and poor agricultural planning.
He noted that while agriculture remains one of the most profitable sectors of the economy, many investors are discouraged because farming often requires patience and long-term commitment before returns are realized.
“Agriculture remains a viable investment opportunity. Every local government has fertile land that can be cultivated for food production. With proper investment and management, communities can become major producers of staple foods and reduce dependence on supplies from other regions,” he said.
Adesanmi stressed that mechanised farming remains critical to increasing productivity and achieving sustainable food security. He explained that modern farming equipment can help farmers cultivate larger areas of land, improve efficiency, and reduce production costs.
He urged local government authorities to complement ongoing efforts by state and federal governments through direct investment in agricultural projects, farm settlements, irrigation schemes, and mechanisation programmes.
The agronomist also recommended the engagement of qualified agricultural professionals to oversee farming initiatives and ensure that investments generate measurable results.
His comments come at a time when governments at various levels are increasing efforts to boost domestic food production amid concerns over food inflation and supply shortages.
In recent years, Ekiti State has expanded support for mechanised agriculture through tractorisation programmes and subsidised mechanisation services aimed at helping farmers reduce production costs and improve yields. The state has also invested in youth-focused agricultural programmes, land-clearing projects, storage infrastructure, and agribusiness development initiatives designed to increase food production and attract more young people into farming.
The Federal Government has also intensified agricultural interventions, including fertiliser distribution programmes and input support schemes targeted at improving productivity among smallholder farmers ahead of the planting season.
Experts believe that increasing production at the local level could play an important role in stabilising food prices, improving rural incomes, and reducing Nigeria’s dependence on food imports.
With food inflation continuing to affect household spending across the country, stakeholders argue that stronger investments in mechanisation, storage facilities, irrigation infrastructure, and extension services will be necessary to achieve long-term food security and sustainable agricultural growth.
Commodity.ng Insight / Digest
Dr. Adesanmi’s recommendation highlights an often-overlooked opportunity in Nigeria’s food security strategy: the role of local governments in agricultural production.
While federal and state governments frequently dominate agricultural policy discussions, local governments are closest to farming communities and possess large tracts of land that can be developed for crop production, livestock farming, and agro-processing.
If each of Nigeria’s 774 local government areas were to identify and develop their comparative agricultural strengths, the cumulative impact on national food production could be substantial. Some areas may focus on grains, others on root crops, vegetables, livestock, fisheries, or cash crops depending on local conditions.
The emphasis on mechanisation is particularly significant. Labour shortages, rural-urban migration, and rising production costs are making traditional farming methods increasingly unsustainable. Mechanised farming can improve efficiency, increase yields, and make agriculture more attractive to younger Nigerians.
However, investment alone will not solve the problem. Success will require effective project management, access to markets, extension services, storage facilities, rural roads, irrigation systems, and transparent implementation.
What This Means for Commodity Markets
- Increased local food production could help moderate prices of key staples such as maize, cassava, yam, rice, tomatoes, and vegetables.
- Greater mechanisation could improve productivity and reduce production costs over time.
- More agricultural activity at the grassroots level could create jobs and stimulate rural economies.
- Improved food supply would help reduce inflationary pressure on consumers and strengthen national food security.
Bottom Line: Nigeria’s food security challenge cannot be solved by federal interventions alone. Local governments have the potential to become major drivers of agricultural production, and strategic investment at the grassroots level could significantly improve food availability, stabilize commodity prices, and boost rural economic development.
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