Youth members of the All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), South-West, have raised concerns over rising insecurity, warning that attacks on farmers are threatening food production, agricultural investments, and rural livelihoods across the region.
The concerns were contained in a communiqué presented by the South-West Chairman of the association, Mr Feyisayo Dada, during a news conference held in Ibadan on Thursday.
The group appealed to President Bola Tinubu and the governors of Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Osun, Ekiti, and Ondo states to urgently strengthen security in farming communities to protect farmers and safeguard food production.
While acknowledging the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda and ongoing agricultural interventions aimed at increasing food production, the youth farmers said insecurity continues to undermine the success of these programmes.
They noted that cases of kidnapping, attacks on farmers, and ransom demands have created fear among farming communities, forcing many farmers to abandon their farms during critical production periods.
According to the group, the growing insecurity poses a significant threat to Nigeria’s food security goals as reduced access to farmland could lead to lower agricultural output and rising food prices.
Beyond security concerns, the farmers identified crop destruction by roaming animals as another major challenge affecting agricultural productivity and called for the promotion of modern livestock management systems to reduce recurring conflicts between farmers and livestock owners.
The association also raised concerns about the suitability of agricultural inputs distributed through some federal intervention programmes, stating that they do not always match the ecological conditions, climate, and soil characteristics of the South-West.
The youth farmers urged authorities to adopt a more inclusive livestock development strategy that supports multiple agricultural value chains rather than focusing primarily on cattle production.
They called for increased investment in fisheries, poultry, piggery, small ruminants, rabbit production, snail farming, and beekeeping to strengthen food production and create more opportunities for young people in agriculture.
The group further advocated greater mechanisation to modernise farming across the region.
It recommended the establishment of tractor hiring centres, equipment leasing schemes, digital agriculture initiatives, and agribusiness innovation hubs to improve productivity and attract more youths into commercial farming.
To address insecurity, the association proposed the creation of specialised Agro-Rangers and Farm Protection Security Units dedicated to protecting farming communities.
