‘Without supporting farmers, Nigeria cannot feed itself’

Dr. Garba Muhammad Bajoga is a retired permanent secretary, veterinary surgeon and seasoned farmer with decades of hands-on experience in crop, livestock and fisheries production. He served in the Ministry of Agriculture and currently sits as Permanent Commissioner I at the Gombe State Civil Service Commission. In this interview with Daily Trust, Dr. Bajoga speaks […]

Dr. Garba Muhammad Bajoga is a retired permanent secretary, veterinary surgeon and seasoned farmer with decades of hands-on experience in crop, livestock and fisheries production. He served in the Ministry of Agriculture and currently sits as Permanent Commissioner I at the Gombe State Civil Service Commission. In this interview with Daily Trust, Dr. Bajoga speaks on the shrinking fortunes of farmers, the impact of rising input costs, soil management, and why Nigeria must urgently reposition agriculture as the backbone of its economy.

What aspects of agriculture are you actively involved in?

I am involved in both crop and animal production. On the crop side, I cultivate cereals such as rice, maize, millet and guinea corn, as well as some innovative crops like soybeans. On the livestock side, I engage in poultry, cattle rearing and fish farming. So, my work in agriculture is comprehensive – crops, livestock and fisheries combined.

What is the size and production capacity of your farm?

At some point, I managed several hundred hectares. My biggest holding was over 100 hectares. Presently, I cultivate about 80 hectares with different production facilities. In the past, output was very high. I used to harvest hundreds of bags yearly. But farming comes with many vicissitudes. Recently, things have changed because of fertiliser challenges, seed quality and weather conditions.

Last year was particularly devastating. The weather was not favourable, and instead of hundreds of bags, I harvested just a little over 100 bags.

How are current crop prices affecting farmers?

It is very discouraging. No farmer goes into production just to break even. The hope is always to make profit. As we say in Hausa, “noma yanke talauci.” When farming becomes a burden instead of a gain, people will abandon it.

In Europe and America, farmers enjoy subsidies to remain in business. Here, the situation is different. It feels like falling from the sky and crashing to the ground. Losses are heavy and morale among farmers is low.

What are the major challenges farmers face today?

First is the high cost of inputs like fertilizer, seeds, chemicals and machinery which are largely uncontrolled. Then we have natural challenges such as unpredictable weather.

Another problem is poor pricing at harvest time. Farmers spend heavily during production only to sell cheaply. Added to that is weak political and economic support. What is lacking is strong political will. With the right commitment, agriculture can become Nigeria’s main economic driver. We have land, water and manpower. With proper support, Nigeria can even become Africa’s Ukraine in food production. Agriculture should be our economic backbone. Anybody who cannot feed himself is a slave to those who can. A nation that cannot feed its people will always depend on others. Nigeria has everything required to succeed in agriculture, but farmers must be given the wherewithal access to credit, inputs, infrastructure and market protection.

How can government policies help farmers overcome these problems?

Support must return to both production and marketing. People talk about removing subsidies, but farming cannot survive without protection. No farmer will continue at a loss. If support is withdrawn completely, people will abandon agriculture. The government must stabilise input prices, support farmers with credit and guarantee fair markets so farming becomes profitable again.

How can farmers reduce costs through local manure production?

One of the easiest ways to cut costs is by producing local organic manure. Farmers can gather waste from livestock farms, markets and household compounds, compost it properly and fortify it with a small quantity of urea before application. When such manure is well prepared and applied, it permanently improves soil fertility and structure. Farmers should heap animal waste and market refuse, allow them to decompose properly, and then strengthen them with a little urea. It changes the soil condition for the better and reduces dependence on expensive fertilizers.

How should farmers approach production?

Agriculture is beyond waiting. I prepare ahead and ensure I have enough fertilizer before the rains begin. If you wait for government fertilizer, you will be late. For many years, I have not depended on government supply. I work with a long-term plan. Whenever my crops need fertilizer, I apply it immediately instead of waiting for distribution periods. Preparation is the key to successful farming.