South-West Youth Farmers Raise Alarm Over Insecurity Threatening Food Production

South-West Youth Farmers Raise Alarm Over Insecurity Threatening Food Production.

Youth farmers under the South-West chapter of the All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN) have expressed growing concern over the worsening security situation across farming communities, warning that persistent attacks on farmers are reducing agricultural output, discouraging investment and posing a serious threat to Nigeria’s food security.

The concerns were contained in a communiqué presented during a news conference in Ibadan by the South-West Chairman of AFAN Youth, Feyisayo Dada, who called for urgent government intervention to protect farmers and restore confidence in agricultural production.

The association appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the governors of Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Osun, Ekiti and Ondo states to strengthen security across rural communities, noting that many farmers now operate under constant fear of kidnapping, attacks and ransom demands.

According to the group, insecurity has become one of the biggest obstacles to increasing food production despite various government programmes aimed at supporting agriculture.

The youth farmers acknowledged ongoing interventions under the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda but argued that their impact is being significantly undermined by the deteriorating security situation in many farming communities.

They explained that repeated attacks on farmers have forced many producers to abandon their farmlands during critical planting and harvesting periods, resulting in reduced cultivation and lower agricultural output.

The association warned that if insecurity continues unchecked, Nigeria could face deeper food shortages, increased pressure on food prices and reduced investment in the agricultural sector.

Beyond security concerns, the farmers also highlighted the recurring destruction of farmlands by roaming livestock, describing it as another major challenge affecting agricultural productivity in the South-West.

They called for the adoption of modern livestock management systems that promote peaceful coexistence between crop farmers and livestock producers while reducing conflicts over land and grazing resources.

The youth farmers further expressed concerns over the quality and suitability of some agricultural inputs distributed through government intervention programmes.

According to the association, certain seeds, fertilisers and other farm inputs supplied under federal initiatives are not always adapted to the ecological conditions, climate and soil characteristics of the South-West, thereby limiting their effectiveness and reducing expected productivity gains.

The group urged policymakers to adopt a more region-specific approach to agricultural support programmes by ensuring that interventions reflect the unique farming conditions across Nigeria’s various ecological zones.

On livestock development, the association called for broader investment across multiple agricultural value chains instead of concentrating predominantly on cattle production.

They advocated increased support for fisheries, poultry, piggery, sheep and goat production, rabbit farming, snail farming and beekeeping, noting that these subsectors offer enormous opportunities for employment, nutrition and economic growth.

To attract more young Nigerians into commercial agriculture, the farmers also recommended greater investment in agricultural mechanisation through tractor hiring centres, equipment leasing programmes, digital farming technologies and agribusiness innovation hubs.

According to the association, expanding access to modern farming equipment would help reduce labour costs, improve productivity and make agriculture more attractive to young entrepreneurs.

As part of broader efforts to address insecurity, the youth farmers proposed the establishment of specialised Agro-Rangers and Farm Protection Security Units dedicated to safeguarding farms, agricultural investments and rural communities.

They argued that strengthening farm security would encourage more farmers to return to cultivation, improve investor confidence and contribute to national food security objectives.

The association maintained that protecting farmers must become a national priority if Nigeria is to achieve sustainable agricultural growth, reduce food inflation and build a resilient food system capable of meeting the demands of its growing population.

Commodity.ng Insight

Security remains one of the biggest constraints to agricultural growth in Nigeria. While government interventions continue to provide fertilisers, improved seeds, financing and mechanisation support, these investments deliver limited results if farmers cannot safely access their land.

The concerns raised by South-West youth farmers mirror similar challenges already reported across parts of the North, where insecurity has disrupted farming activities, reduced cultivated land and contributed to declining food production.

What This Means for Nigeria’s Agriculture

• More farmers may reduce cultivation due to security concerns.
• Lower agricultural output could increase food inflation.
• Investors may become reluctant to finance agricultural projects in high-risk communities.
• Youth participation in farming may decline if security challenges persist.
• Mechanisation and improved farm security could significantly improve productivity and attract new investments.

Bottom Line

Achieving food security requires more than subsidised inputs and financing. Farmers must be able to cultivate, harvest and transport their produce without fear of attacks or kidnapping. Strengthening rural security, modernising agriculture and tailoring government interventions to regional farming conditions will be critical to building a resilient agricultural sector capable of feeding Nigeria’s growing population and driving long-term economic growth.