Insecurity threatens food production, CPFAN raises alarm

Farmers under the aegis of the Cocoa and Plantain Farmers Association of Nigeria (CPFAN) have called on governments at all levels to strengthen security in farming communities, describing it as a critical factor in achieving food security and increasing agricultural production.

The farmers made the appeal during a collaborative programme organised by CPFAN and Green World Natural Solutions to educate farmers on innovative agricultural technologies and products aimed at improving productivity.

Speaking at the event, the national president of the association, Mr Ayodele Ojo, lamented that insecurity has continued to pose a major threat to farming activities in many parts of the country.

Represented by the South-East vice president of CPFAN, Mr. Samuel Dickson, the association president noted that banditry, kidnapping, farm invasions, and other criminal activities have forced many farmers to abandon their farms.

He said: “Insecurity is a very serious issue on the front burner right now. Many farmers are afraid to go to their farms because of banditry and other security challenges. People are increasingly reluctant to attend to their farms due to fear for their safety.”

Ojo stressed that the country’s quest for food sufficiency would remain elusive unless farmers and their investments were adequately protected.

He urged the government to deploy forest guards and security personnel to farming areas and forest reserves, where farmers carry out their activities.

“We are calling on government to do everything possible to secure our farms. Forest guards should not merely stay on the highways; they should be stationed within the forests to ensure farmers can work safely and without fear,” he said.

He appealed to the Federal and state governments, and security agencies to tackle the persistent challenges of crop destruction, theft of farm produce, kidnapping and encroachment on farmlands, noting that such incidents discourage investment in agriculture and reduce productivity.

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Ojo also advocated dedicated agricultural security initiatives in major farming zones, improved rural infrastructure, enhanced surveillance systems, community-based security arrangements and rapid response mechanisms to protect food production areas.

He also identified poor access to farm inputs and finance as other major challenges confronting farmers.

“The challenges facing farmers are numerous. Every farmer needs inputs. We are appealing to both the federal and state governments to support farmers with essential inputs.

“Finance is also a major impediment. Some farmers have land but lack capital, while others have funds but no access to land,” he said.

He emphasised the need for sustained government interventions to support agricultural development, insisting that the sector remains crucial to the nation’s economic growth and food security and said “without farmers, the country cannot move forward,” he added.

He explained that the partnership between Green World Natural Solutions and CPFAN was aimed at exposing farmers to modern agricultural innovations and educating them on the effective use of Green World products to enhance productivity.

Also speaking, the Ondo State Commissioner for Agriculture and Forestry, Engr. Olaleye Akinola, highlighted several initiatives being implemented by the state government to support farmers and improve agricultural output.

He disclosed that about 2,500 farmers would benefit from a fertiliser distribution programme being executed through a partnership between the Federal Government and the Ondo State Government, with each beneficiary receiving four bags of fertiliser.

Akinola further revealed that the state government, in collaboration with the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), would provide agricultural inputs to farmers operating within the forestry sector.

According to him, the government is pursuing policies designed to move farmers beyond subsistence agriculture by promoting agro-processing and value addition.

“We are attracting investors into agro-allied industries because value addition is the future of agriculture. We want cocoa processing industries in Ondo State. We want tomato processing industries in Ondo State. We want maize processing industries in Ondo State,” the commissioner said.

He noted that such investments would not only increase farmers’ earnings but also create jobs, stimulate industrial growth and strengthen the state’s agricultural value chain.