As preparations for the rainy season farming begin, farmers in Osun, Ekiti, and Ondo States are complaining about the growing scarcity of unskilled labour and the rising cost of agricultural inputs.
In separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the farmers complained that the rising costs of manpower and materials were further exacerbated by their already difficult financial situation.
Some farmers in Ondo State have described the shortage of unskilled labour as “a big challenge” threatening both farming activities and food production.
Speaking with NAN, Mr. Dayo Akindele, a local farmer, said the lack of available labourers was already affecting preparations for the new farming season.
“We are facing serious challenges as a new farming season approaches. I have a large farm which I cannot manage alone, but most of the labourers we usually depend on are no longer available,” Akindele explained.
He noted that many labourers had abandoned farming for commercial motorcycle riding, which they now find more lucrative.
He called on the government to provide mechanised support, such as tractors and harvesting machines, across all 18 local government areas in the state.
“The government must take responsibility and ensure that tractors and other planting machines are made available for hire across all LGAs. This will help guarantee a bountiful harvest,” he said.
The President of the Ondo State Farmers Congress, Mr. Abayomi Monilari, attributed the challenges farmers face to the unavailability of essential farm tools, adulterated agricultural chemicals, and growing insecurity.
Monilari urged the government to support farmers, particularly those in commercial agriculture, by offering soft loans to boost food production and ensure national food security.
He further emphasised that providing adequate tractors would make farming more efficient and productive.
Agronomist Dr. Clement Emiju supported this by highlighting that threats from cattle herders, bandits, and other criminal groups were disrupting farming activities and contributing to the looming food shortage.
In a similar vein, Chief Abiodun Adejo, the Chairman of the Ondo State Agricultural Commodities Association (OSACA), expressed concern that rainy season farming would be severely hampered by a shortage of equipment, inadequate access to better planting inputs, insecurity, and the condition of rural roads.
“The farmers have little or no power over these challenges. We appeal to the government to assist in these areas. No individual farmer can afford to maintain a tractor and still break even,” Adejo said.
He advocated for farmers to have subsidised access to smaller, more controllable farm equipment.
Adejo emphasised that instability should not be disregarded and that road upkeep is essential to guaranteeing safety in farming areas, and addressing the manpower shortage.
Source: NAN
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