Feed the Nation 2025: A Call for Action

Certain crops like cucumber, okra, maize, tomatoes, yam, beans, and pepper are annual crops, while others may take more than 1 year to be ready for harvest. This implies that if we want more food next year, we need to plant more than we planted last year

In recent years, conflicts between herdsmen and farmers have become more frequent and have spread to regions like the South-South, South West, and South East. Previously, such conflicts were mainly heard of in the Middle Belt states like Benue, Plateau, Kaduna, and Nassarawa. Suddenly, herdsmen started encroaching forests in the South West, South-South, and South-East, displacing local hunters and farmers, and turning these areas into kidnapping dens. The situation deteriorated to the point where local farmers in the South-South and South East had to pay levies to the herdsmen to allow them to farm. The herdsmen gained control of the forests and farmlands, with cows becoming more valuable than human lives. When communities took action against the destruction of their crops, the repercussions were severe, often leading to the expulsion of entire communities. Reporting such incidents to the police rarely resulted in arrests, and in some cases, those reporting the crimes were detained.? There are yet to be cases where herdsmen were arrested and detained not to talk about being persecuted for invading and damaging farmlands.

This trend escalated, becoming the most prominent conflict in the communities of the Niger Delta region and gaining significant attention in the South West, South East, and South-South. The ongoing clashes between herdsmen and farmers in parts of the Niger Delta pose a significant security threat in states like Ondo, Edo, Delta, Imo, Akwa-Ibom, and Abia.

The case of Olu Falae stands out as a high-profile example. Without going into detail, his experience, as reported by Sahara Reporter on January 27, 2021, sheds light on the challenges faced by farmers due to the actions of herdsmen.? Although the situation in the South West has been a bit under control, as much has not been heard about the menace of herdsmen or bandits ( as they are now being referred to). Maybe this can be attributed to the establishment of Amotekun.

In 2022, during a focused group discussion conducted by the Community Initiative for Enhanced Peace and Development a non-governmental ‘Organization in Umuahia, Abia State, concerns were raised about the state of insecurity in the state, echoing similar sentiments from the Middle Belt, South-West, South-East, and South-South. This begs the question: If farmers are unable to access their lands in these areas, where will the nation source its food supply from?

Regarding the high cost of foodstuff, some argue that the issue lies not in the availability of crops or grains, but in the lack of purchasing power. However, it's important to consider the law of supply and demand, where the balance between supply and demand influences prices. When demand exceeds supply, prices rise. The increasing prices of food crops are primarily due to this imbalance in supply and demand, with the rise in the value of the dollar playing a secondary role.

Not long ago, a viral video showing young men from the North with dogs in trailers was spotted in Owerri and other parts of the South East. This raised concerns among citizens about the intentions of these individuals, who were not accompanied by cows but by dogs. Despite the public outcry, no official security response has clarified their mission or any updates on their status. Sometimes within March, some communities from Ogoni in Rivers State went to a radio station to cry out about the destruction of their farmlands by herdsmen. On April 30th, 2024, a video went viral showing the deserted community of Nimbo in Uwani LGA of Enugu State after an alleged Fulani Herdsmen attack. ?

According to a report from the Punch, a daily newspaper, as of March 24th, 2024, 165 farmers have lost their lives in Nigeria this year alone. The highest number of casualties, accounting for 130 deaths, was reported in Benue, where gunmen brazenly murdered 15 people in Apa Local Government Area on March 21st, also 23 of April 3 farmers in the same LGA were murdered. The Association of Nigerian Farmers has also reported that killings have occurred in Sokoto, which accounted for 28 deaths. Additionally, the bandits have attacked farmers in Niger and Plateau, causing one death in each state. The same newspaper reported on March 20th that Benue farmers have lost N1.1bn to attacks, Sokoto growers have paid N3bn in ransoms, and farmers in Delta have paid N5m.

?A few weeks ago, Mr. Richard Asemina, the Chairman of the All Farmers Association in Delta State, Nigeria, reported that almost all the farmers in the state were unable to access their farms due to the fear of being kidnapped. Those who managed to reach their farms found that their produce had also been destroyed by cows. Farmers in Ika North-East, Aniocha South, Ugheli, Agbara, and other places were similarly affected. In April, eight farmers were kidnapped in Delta State, and each paid between N1m and N5m as ransom. On April 29th a pioneer Chairman of PDP ?in Abavo ward 10 was reportedly killed by suspected herdsmen when he went with some laborers to his farm to plant yam while 2 other farmers were kidnapped. These incidents are not limited to these areas alone, as farmers across Nigeria face similar experiences of terror, either through banditry or herdsmen. ?

According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), smallholder farmers contribute over 90% of agricultural production in Nigeria.? From available data, as of 2021, agriculture accounts for approximately 24% of Nigeria's GDP, making it one of the key sectors driving economic activity in the country. So, since agriculture is so important, we call on the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency Ahmed Bola Tinubu, the Security Agencies, the legislatures, and other key stakeholders to take more proactive decisive actions;

1.????? On the sacking and displacement of farming communities across the width and breadth of the nation

2.????? On killing and kidnapping of farmers across the width and breadth of the nation

3.????? On farmers across the width and breadth of the nation regaining access to their farmlands

All of these must be addressed if we must feed the nation come 2025.

#feedthenation2025 #saveourfarmers #thelifeofourfarmersmatters #savethenation #foodsecurity

Tinubu Bola A. 联合国粮农组织 USAID Nigeria State2State Activity Palladium: Make It Possible PIND Foundation World Farmers' Organisation World Farmers Markets Coalition WORLD FARMERS INC World Farmers Centre World Cocoa Farmers Org. All Farmers Association Of Nigeria AFAN Osun State Community Initiative for Enhanced Peace and Development Comfort Onyaga CLICE Foundation Food Security Cluster Nigeria Police Force Godswill Akpabio