Agricultural expert Africanfarmer Mogaji has called for increased government support, better farmer education, and climate-smart solutions to address Nigeria’s food security challenges.
Speaking during an interview with Arise News on Friday, Mogaji highlighted the need for targeted interventions to boost productivity, resolve security issues, and prepare for the impacts of climate change.
He discussed innovations, government interventions, and the challenges farmers face in achieving food security in the country.
When asked about the benefits of government innovations and investments to small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in agriculture, Mogaji provided a balanced perspective.
“There are many SMEs that would say they have not seen any support from the government, which is valid,” he said.
“However, I’ve operated across the country and seen many farmers, both micro and small, receive fertilizers and inputs as an eyewitness. I’ve also seen some SMEs receive trailers of fertilizers provided by the government.”
He added that some SMEs miss out on opportunities due to inaction. “Many SMEs don’t ask, and without an application, there is nothing to process. When I said I would like to sit on the fence, that’s what I meant.”
Mogaji explained that accessing government support can be straightforward. “Just send a letter to the Minister of Agriculture, as simple as that,” he said. “Some people got it by just believing it might be true, and they received it.”
On the question of why more focus is placed on fertilizers and tractors instead of training farmers, Mogaji highlighted the lack of investment in agricultural education.
“Capacity development, which is training, is one major weak link in why we are not food secure in Nigeria today,” he said.
“A lot of focus is on the tangible—what we can see. But what makes those tangibles work is the intangible. We are not investing heavily in the education space in agriculture. While there are some new developments, our government universities and polytechnics need significant upgrades.”
Mogaji emphasised the need for government subsidies and increased production. “Government must subsidise something—it’s either input or output. Currently, in Nigeria, we have a producer problem. We used to have a major marketing issue, but now we are not producing enough.”
He warned of potential food price hikes if federal support is not provided urgently. “If governments don’t fund their federal parastatals now, the price of tomatoes could exceed ₦200,000 by May or June. Federal authorities need to laser-focus their support to ensure productivity.”
Mogaji also addressed security concerns affecting farmers, particularly in northern Nigeria. “The security challenges have reduced significantly, especially under this administration,” he said.
“I operate in these areas and get fortnightly feedback. However, we need to work on the mental state of farmers, not just provide inputs. We need boosters, inspirational messages, and demonstrations of government efforts to show that insecurity has decreased.”
On climate change, Mogaji acknowledged the country’s lack of preparedness. “Sincerely, we are not well-prepared for the realities of climate change.
“However, we also don’t pay attention to available solutions. We need to embrace climate-smart farming, but currently, everything is still commercial,” he said.
Boluwatife Enome
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