The north, laziness and farming

Laziness and bad leadership are one of the problems of northern Nigeria. There is no community or household in northern Nigeria that cannot produce the food it needs to feed itself as well as sell some to get some monies. Because, there is no community in the north that does not have abundant farmlands and […]

Laziness and bad leadership are one of the problems of northern Nigeria.
There is no community or household in northern Nigeria that cannot produce the food it needs to feed itself as well as sell some to get some monies. Because, there is no community in the north that does not have abundant farmlands and fresh water sources that support both rainy and dry season farming. Moreover, in most places in the north, with as low as N3,000 one can hire a piece of farmland during the farming season. In fact, in many communities, there are free farmlands, all that is required of one is, after harvest to give something from the farm produce to the owner of the land.
This farming season, the north have seen many new entrants into the farming business. And, one interesting thing is, most of the new entrants are the working class and the usual ‘contractors’ who are no more getting the easy money. And, they were very lucky – all farmers in the north are smiling home with good harvest this farming season.
We pray and hope that the new entrants will sustain the good example as well as bring more dynamism into the agribusiness – poultry, fisheries, husbandry etc.
Let the people of the north fight the ‘cancers’ called begging and laziness. Small scale and well-managed agribusiness can free communities from the prison of poverty – it is a money spinner.
In fact, when communities in the north utilize the available fertile land and immense water resources, it means ‘real’ independence. Once the people are financially independent, they will have the minds to checkmate toxic leaders who think they can use money to buy people.
Zayyad I. Muhammad, Jimeta, Adamawa state