Prominent leaders of farmers and agricultural stakeholders in Ondo State have raised concerns over Nigeria’s intensified push for the declaration of a Global Agricultural Day, warning that insecurity, weak policy implementation and poor infrastructure are crippling the sector.
The chairman of Agbeladun Agricultural Empowerment Association, Franklin Fadoju, and the chairman of Ondo State chapter of the All Farmers Association of Nigeria, AFAN, Ambassador Abayomi Monilari, spoke separately on the proposed May 16 Global Agricultural Day celebration.
Both leaders agreed that although the initiative could promote food security and agricultural awareness, the country must first solve key problems affecting farmers before embarking on symbolic celebrations.
Fadoju described insecurity as one of the biggest threats confronting farming activities, particularly in Ondo State, where many farmers now avoid their farmlands for fear of attacks.
He said, “You don’t need to make noise about these things. Summon stakeholders and discuss practical solutions so people can return to the farms.”
He insisted that many rural communities can no longer function effectively without security protection, noting that he personally cannot visit his farms unless military personnel secure the area.
Fadoju accused leaders in the South-West of failing to adequately defend the interests of farmers compared to Northern leaders who he described as more proactive and organised.
He also alleged irregularities in the implementation of agricultural intervention programmes, claiming that some officials divert opportunities meant for genuine farmers.
Fadoju stressed that governors must demonstrate stronger political will and proper supervision to ensure successful implementation of agricultural policies.
Ambassador Monilari said, “we are not adequately prepared for a Global Agricultural Day celebration because many of the structures needed for agricultural transformation are still lacking.
“We are not ready for it. That is the truth. It is good, but we are not ready for it.”
Identifying poor agricultural infrastructure, inadequate research implementation, shortage of technical partners and declining youth participation in farming as major challenges facing the sector, Monilari further criticised the failure to translate agricultural research into practical solutions for farmers, lamenting that many studies are abandoned in archives instead of being utilized in the field.
Despite their concerns, both stakeholders maintained that Nigeria has the potential to achieve meaningful agricultural growth if the government prioritises security, accountability, practical reforms and long-term investment in the sector.