Nigeria's Senate President Pushes Agricultural Reforms as AFAN Warns of Production Decline

News in Brief:

-Nigeria's Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, urged stronger support for agricultural colleges to boost food security and agricultural innovation.

-The country's farmers' association has warned that insecurity and rising fertiliser prices are preventing many Kaduna farmers from accessing their farmlands.

President of the Nigerian Senate, Godswill Akpabio, has called for stronger support for agricultural colleges and institutions as part of efforts to address food insecurity and unlock Nigeria’s agricultural potential.

The call comes amid growing concerns raised by the Kaduna State chapter of the All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), which warned that worsening insecurity and rising fertiliser costs are threatening food production across the state.

Akpabio made the call during the maiden National Legislative Summit and Expo on Agricultural Colleges and Institutions held at the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) in Moniya, Ibadan.

Represented by the Deputy Senate Majority Leader, Oyetola Ashiru, the Senate President identified collaboration, innovation, and strong political commitment as critical to overcoming challenges facing Nigeria’s agricultural sector.

He stressed the importance of strategic partnerships among stakeholders while urging Nigeria to adopt modern agricultural practices comparable to those in developed economies.

National Assembly Backs Food Security Drive

According to Akpabio, both the National Assembly and the executive arm of government remain committed to policies and programmes aimed at strengthening agricultural colleges and institutions to support sustainable food security.

He also encouraged Nigerian youths to take advantage of opportunities in the agricultural value chain for wealth creation and economic empowerment.

The Senate President noted that agriculture remains one of the country’s most viable sectors for addressing unemployment and driving economic growth when properly harnessed.

Earlier in his welcome address, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Agricultural Colleges and Institutions, Sharafadeen Alli, described the summit as timely, given rising concerns over food insecurity and the growing need for skilled manpower within the agricultural sector.

AFAN Raises Alarm Over Insecurity, Production Costs

Kaduna State Chairman of AFAN, Nuhu Aminu, seized the moment to warn that the worsening insecurity across farming communities is preventing many farmers from accessing their farmlands.

Aminu identified parts of Giwa, Kauru, Kubau, Kudan, Kajuru, Sanga, and Kachia local government areas as communities severely affected by bandit attacks and kidnappings.

According to him, many farmers now operate under fear as criminal attacks continue to disrupt farming activities and force some rural residents to abandon cultivation entirely.

“Insecurity is seriously affecting farming activities. Some farmers cannot even go to their farms because of attacks and kidnappings in their communities,” he said.

Aminu also identified the rising cost of fertiliser as a major challenge confronting farmers ahead of the planting season. He explained that many smallholder farmers can no longer afford chemical fertiliser due to soaring prices, forcing the association to encourage the use of organic alternatives.

However, he noted that even organic fertiliser remains difficult for many farmers to purchase in sufficient quantities.

AFAN Seeks Government Support

The AFAN chairman called on governments at all levels to subsidise fertiliser prices and ensure the timely distribution of farm inputs before the peak farming season.

He further urged authorities to provide greater support and incentives for farmers, stressing that agriculture remains one of the key sectors sustaining Nigeria’s economy.