Oyo Monarch Backs Afenifere Warning Over Farmers Abandoning Farms

News in Brief:

— Oba Ayobami Ogunmakinde has backed concerns raised by Afenifere over attacks and kidnappings that are forcing farmers to abandon farms in parts of Oyo and the wider South-West.

— Farmers leaving their land because of insecurity could further disrupt agricultural production and food supply, while low farm-gate prices and conflicts over grazing add to the pressure on rural communities.

Farmers in parts of Oyo State are increasingly staying away from their farms out of fear of being kidnapped and other challenges affecting rural communities, the Elerepamo of Pamo, Oba Ayobami Ogunmakinde, has warned.

The monarch, who spoke with reporters in Ibadan, confirmed the concerns raised by the pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation, Afenifere, over attacks and kidnappings targeting farmers across parts of the South-West.

Ogunmakinde called for stronger security measures, particularly in remote communities in Oyo State, where insecurity is preventing access to farmland.

Insecurity Drives Farmers Away from Farmland

Afenifere had previously warned about attacks on farmlands and kidnappings during recent visits to Oke-Ogun and northern parts of Oyo and Ondo states.

Apart from fear of kidnappings, the organisation also cited uncontrolled grazing by unscrupulous herders as part of the problem. In addition, they are combating rising production and distribution costs.

Ogunmakinde said recent abductions had heightened fears among residents of Oriire Local Government Area and other communities in the region.

He called on the Federal Government and the Inspector-General of Police to strengthen security infrastructure in Pamo.

The monarch specifically appealed for the existing police post in Pamo to be upgraded to a full-fledged divisional police headquarters.

He said improved police presence would help protect rural communities and give farmers greater confidence to return to their farms.

Ogunmakinde acknowledged the present efforts of security personnel but said more needed to be done to address insecurity in remote communities.

He also pointed to the establishment of military bases and another divisional police office in Ogbomoso as measures that could contribute to reducing kidnapping and banditry in the area.

Farm Abandonment Threatens Agricultural Production

Farmers staying away from their farms because of insecurity has implications beyond the affected communities.

When farmers cannot safely cultivate, harvest or transport their produce, agricultural output can decline, and food supply chains can become more vulnerable to disruption.

Farm abandonment can also affect rural incomes, employment and investment in agricultural production.

The challenge is particularly significant in areas where farming provides a major source of livelihood and where communities depend on agriculture for both household income and local food supplies.

Low farm-gate prices and limited direct access to buyers can reduce the financial incentive to continue farming and further undermine farmers’ livelihoods.

Insecurity Increases Pressure on Rural Communities

The security concerns come against the backdrop of previous abductions in the area.

More than 40 pupils and teachers were abducted during coordinated attacks on three schools in the region on May 15, 2025. They were released on July 10, 2026, after spending 56 days in captivity.

The incident has heightened concerns about the safety of residents, particularly in rural and remote communities.

For farmers, insecurity creates a direct operational challenge because agricultural production often requires workers to spend extended periods away from urban centres and security installations.

Even when farmers can cultivate successfully, they may face difficulties accessing profitable markets, obtaining fair prices and protecting their farms from damage.

Afenifere's concerns over middlemen also point to the importance of stronger market linkages that allow farmers to connect directly with processors, aggregators and other bulk buyers.

Improved storage and organised markets could also reduce the pressure on farmers to sell immediately after harvest, when prices may be low.

Addressing these issues alongside rural security would provide a more comprehensive response to the challenges facing farmers.

The situation in Oyo demonstrates that agricultural productivity depends on more than access to inputs, land and financing.