OFFCUT: Why we can’t go back to farming, Nigerians tell Tinubu

Nigerians have expressed resistance to the presidency’s suggestion that they should return to farming as a solution to economic hardship and hunger.

Recall that The Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Mr. Bayo Onanuga, during a meeting with a group of online editors, urged Nigerians to embrace subsistence farming to combat the rising cost of food.

In response, Nigerians cited numerous reasons for their reluctance, including the high level of insecurity in rural areas, particularly threats from armed herdsmen, which make farming dangerous. 

Additionally, Nigerians pointed out that the cost of living, deepened by the removal of fuel subsidies, has driven up prices of goods and services, making it difficult for people to afford the initial investment required for farming.

An Instagram user @dellinpc wrote, “ Go farming without security in the land.”

Another user, @ridwandaud2 reacted, “when you can provide security. Do you know how many people left farming as a result of government failure due to insecurity….?”

Lamenting the high cost of agricultural tools, @ sulaimanansar72 wrote, “ With fertilizer at 40k pesticides, 8k. Shame on this government.”

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@adema opined, “Nigerians really want to go back to farming but they are scared of the smallmighty keelers.”

“And get mustered by the bandits. Secure Nigeria, then farmers will return to their land”, @enofele wrote. 

Still reacting on Instagram, @liquid_auyo said, “……how do you expect people to with the bandits and BH everywhere?.”

https://www.instagram.com/p/C8jvlcGollL/?igsh=MXQweWpoMGp5NnU2Zw==

Stating insecurity as a reason farming can’t be possible, a Facebook user, Abubakar Sadiq Bala said “When insecurity is ravaging everywhere and farmers can not farm anymore.”

Another Facebook user, Muraina Akeem Olatunji also wrote, “For notorious herdsmen to graze on or to be kidnapped on the farm ?!”

Users on X (formerly Twitter) echoed these concerns, highlighting insecurity as the main issue. They urged the Federal Government to provide soft loans for farming and improve security to protect farmers.

@StephenOkpo tweeted, “Our bushes are not secured to begin with,  no incentive provided for any farmers, is that how to command people to go into farming? Nawao”

Our bushes are not secured to begin with, no incentive provided for any farmers, is that how to command people to go into farming? Nawao

— Odukpani son (@StephenOkpo) June 23, 2024

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@Mustapha75687718 wrote, “If you really mean it, please provide fertilizer at a subsidized rate and avoid giving loans to farmers.”

If you really mean it, please provide fertilizer at a subsidized rate and avoid giving loans to farmers.

— Mustapha Hussaini Hassan (@Mustaph75687718) June 23, 2024

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“Only Northerners are given agricultural loans while Southerners suffered bcoz no ministry offer loans 2 Southern farmers. Then I will urge FG 2 open Benin Republic border with adequate security 2 ensure terrorists doesn’t troop in bt on farm produces”, @AdeyanjuKolade lamented. 

Only Northerners are given agricultural loans while Southerners suffered bcoz no ministry offer loans 2 Southern farmers. Then I will urge FG 2 open Benin Republic border with adequate security 2 ensure terrorists doesn’t troop in bt on farm produces. @NGRPresident @officialABAT

— Akande Kolade (@AdeyanjuKolade) June 23, 2024

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