Celebrating World Food Day amidst inflation

Food as we all know is one of the basic necessities of life. Adequacy of food is the reason the rich and the poor sleep in comfort; therefore, without food, all would definitely perish. Before one could get raw food commodities, farmers residing in different geographical areas must till the soil, make ridges, plant the […]

Food as we all know is one of the basic necessities of life. Adequacy of food is the reason the rich and the poor sleep in comfort; therefore, without food, all would definitely perish. Before one could get raw food commodities, farmers residing in different geographical areas must till the soil, make ridges, plant the seeds, apply fertilisers, dig-out unwanted grasses, harvest the crops, thrash and put them in sacks.

Sadly, all these efforts go in vain as farmers are no longer enjoying the fruits of their labour due to the less priority given to agriculture by the government. Nigeria in the past relied heavily on agriculture as the major source of its income but the discovery of crude oil in 1956 made the government focused more on it while directing less attention to the agricultural sector.

Regrettably, our grandparents used local tools and devices in cultivating crops, those devices and tools were slow when compared to the present sophisticated ones. Nigeria as ‘Africa’s Giant’ had supported so many countries in the field of agriculture but nowadays, ordinary Nigerians could not afford to eat three square meals in a day.

Most of us were informed that Nigeria gave palm tree seeds to Malaysia in the past but now Malaysia is amongst the highest producers of palm oil globally while we are dwindling by producing what cannot satisfy us not to talk of exporting. Developed countries always direct more funds and resources necessary to agriculture in their budgets. That’s the reason why they are food sufficient and secure. Thailand is currently the world’s biggest producer of rice; it is because their government invested hugely in it and citizens are benefiting from the investments.

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Insecurity is one of the major factors that made numerous farmers lose interest in farming, their enthusiasm fades on a daily basis as things get worse. In 2020, over 47 farmers were slaughtered in Zabarmari, Borno State by insurgents. They were as innocent as newborn babies and they offended nobody but were killed for reasons yet to be known. Many farmers are kidnapped in the axis of Southern Kaduna, Katsina, Zamfara and Sokoto states on their way to farms, others while doing farm work and several others that failed to follow kidnappers are killed instantly. Hence, no one would be alive if there is no food to eat, there would be no energy to work in government offices, private companies or run personal businesses with empty stomachs. Importance of food to the body is like that of fuel to an engine, without it nothing moves.

The skyrocketing prices of fertilisers, simple farming tools and herbicides that eliminate unwanted grasses are no longer affordable by small scale farmers. Moreover, most of the marketers selling them are ordinary citizens, some of them buy them in bulk and hide in their warehouses just waiting for the prices to increase before bringing them out to sell. Governments tried in establishing fertiliser companies in most states, the problem is that the government’s fertilisers are sold to commercial scale farmers while farmers in villages are left with no choice than to buy at high prices or use animals’ dung. Lack of regular supervision to youths that were given farm implements by the government is what deteriorated the situation; they often time sell them and use the money for things that add no value to their lives.

In summary, security should be provided in nooks and crannies, no farmers could risk his or her life by going to farm to get kidnapped or killed; maximum security would make farmers cultivate crops without fear of bandits, insurgents or criminals. Also, governments should purchase expensive farming implements like tractors, harvesting machines and subsidise them for farmers in towns and those in inaccessible areas. Doing that would make them boost their farming activities thereby curbing food insecurity. Frequent supervision by teams of honest officials from ministry of agriculture and other agencies is key in making youths use all farming items received such as fertilisers, seeds and money to be used judiciously; those that are found diverting them should be punished to serve as lesson. Let us all revive agriculture to save ourselves from hunger and abject poverty, may God bless Nigeria.

Mukhtar Kobi wrote from Bauchi and can be reached via [email protected]