The Secretary General of the All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), Otunba Dr Babafemi Oke, has raised fresh concerns over the growing threats confronting Nigeria’s agricultural sector, warning that insecurity, inadequate mechanisation, and the near collapse of extension services are undermining productivity and discouraging farmers across the country.

Speaking on Sabenko, a Yoruba-speaking public affairs programme, on Eagle 102.5 FM, Ilese Ijebu, Ogun State, Oke noted that these challenges, if not urgently addressed, could further weaken food systems and deepen the nation’s economic vulnerabilities.

To him, the realities on the ground reflect a widening gap between policy intentions and actual support for farmers.

While agriculture is often highlighted as a key solution to Nigeria’s economic challenges, Oke said that the structural conditions necessary for its success remain largely absent.

He explained that farmers, particularly those in rural communities, are increasingly exposed to security risks, limited access to modern tools, and weak institutional support, creating an environment where farming is both risky and less profitable.

Speaking on insecurity and its national concerns, Oke expressed deep concern over the increasing cases of kidnapping and attacks on farmers, linking the trend to the abandonment of agricultural lands and research institutions.

He said many of these locations, once active hubs of agricultural development, have now become hideouts for criminal elements.

He noted that the vulnerability of farmers has been exposed by recent incidents involving cocoa farmers who were attacked while working on their farms.

According to him, such developments highlight the consequences of neglecting rural security and failing to maintain critical agricultural infrastructure.

He said, “When we heard about the kidnapping incident of our members, we were unhappy because the people they kidnapped are cocoa farmers.

They went there around 12. We know all of them because they went there to check their cocoa, but when that incident happened, it dawned on us that what we didn’t take seriously has affected us”.

He added that the situation calls for urgent and coordinated intervention, particularly at the community level, where local knowledge can be leveraged to combat insecurity.

He therefore suggested that traditional hunters, who understand the terrain and forest networks, should be actively engaged in security efforts.

“Secondly, please help us echo to the government to call all our hunters and discuss with them, as they are the ones who know most of these hideouts used by these kidnappers.

They should provide the necessary weapons that they can use to fight these criminals. There is no community without hunters. If they can do this, then trust me, kidnapping will be a thing of the past.”

Oke also criticised the continued neglect of agricultural assets such as research institutes and farm settlements, describing them as wasted opportunities that could have strengthened food production and rural economies.

He noted that instead of being utilised for research and large-scale farming, many of these facilities have deteriorated over time.

He asserted that the government has failed to effectively manage these institutions, despite their potential to support innovation and training in agriculture. According to him, repurposing these facilities could provide safer and more structured farming environments.

He maintained that AFAN has consistently advocated for the allocation of such lands to farmers’ groups for productive use, rather than leaving them idle and vulnerable to criminal activity.

Lamenting the disappearance of Extension Centres and officers, which he described as a critical link between farmers and modern farming practices, Oke noted that extension officers, who were once responsible for training and supporting farmers, are no longer visible in many communities.

He explained that their absence has created a knowledge gap, leaving farmers without guidance on improved techniques, pest control, and efficient resource use. “This has contributed to low yields and poor farming outcomes”, he said.