Farmers in the agricultural industry from Southern Nigeria are speaking out against the military’s decision to only send soldiers to protect farmers in the North from attacks by terrorists and bandits. They find it strange and unfair that farmers in the South are not included in this security plan.
Just recently, the military revealed that they have sent troops to farming areas across Northern Nigeria, especially in the North-West and North-Central regions. The goal is to ensure farmers have a safe planting season and to help reduce food shortages and inflation.
This announcement was made by Major General Edward Buba, the Director of Defence Media Operations. He explained that the soldiers are now in place, allowing many farmers to safely access their land.
“With the rainy season now here, our soldiers are deployed in various parts of the North, mainly in the NW and NC states, to protect farmers. This has given them the safety they need to work their land without worry,” Buba explained.
While some support this move, farmers and others in the South feel left out. Amaka Chukwudum, a farmer and the founder of Amicable Mondial Farm in Ogun State, expressed that while it’s good the military is helping Northern farmers, they shouldn’t ignore the South. She pointed out that farmers in the South also face security challenges.
“It’s disappointing and upsetting to hear this,” Chukwudum said. “Farmers in my cooperative in Akure, Ondo State are being attacked and killed by herders on their farms. The government should think about expanding this initiative to the South and other areas of the country as well. Farmers in the North are definitely struggling, but so are we. I had to leave my 10 acres of yam farm in Benue State because of the insecurity, and all the money I put into it was wasted. I get why they’re starting in the North, but they need to think about everyone.”
Temitope Oluwadipe, who coordinates International Trade for Livestock and Aquaculture, agrees with Chukwudum and praised the military’s efforts, but insisted that security should be offered across all 36 states. He mentioned that farmers in other states are also under threat from herders.
Greg Nwamadi, the Managing Director and CEO of Goldridge BioAgro Ltd, also weighed in on the issue. “There’s no doubt that insecurity is damaging the country’s food supply. It’s good that the government is addressing the problems in the North, but they shouldn’t forget the South. Farmers there are being targeted by Fulani herders and kidnappers just like those in the North are being terrorized by bandits. If we’re sending soldiers to protect farmers in the North, we should also send them to the South.”
However, Major General Buba explained that the North is more affected by terrorism than the South, which is why the military’s focus is there. He clarified that the situation in the North, where terrorists are keeping farmers from their fields, is more severe compared to the South. He was responding to criticism after the military announced that they had deployed troops to several Northern states to help farmers, which led to complaints from farmers in other parts of Nigeria.
This military action comes as Nigeria faces serious food shortages. Food prices have gone up significantly, with inflation soaring to more than 40%, according to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS). The country’s overall inflation reached a high of 34.19% in June 2024 before slightly dropping to 33.40% in July, based on data from the NBS.
