Some farmers have expressed skepticism over the Federal Government’s promised dry season farming intervention.

Despite pledges from government officials to enhance food security and shift from rainfed to year-round agriculture, farmers claim the initiatives have been selective and poorly implemented.

To tackle food insecurity, the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security proposed mechanised farming and irrigation systems.

In September, the government reaffirmed its commitment to completing the Middle Ogun Irrigation Project in the Iseyin Local Government Area of Oyo State, a decades-old project aimed at improving agricultural productivity.

The Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Joseph Utsve, during a site assessment, stated that the project would boost food production, create jobs, and strengthen the economy.

He highlighted a transition from diesel-powered irrigation systems to a hybrid of solar energy and the national grid, noting that grid connection was 95 per cent complete while solar installation was nearing 80 per cent.

“The completion of the Middle Ogun Irrigation Project will create approximately 8,000 direct jobs for women and youth, with millions more generated indirectly. This initiative will ensure maximum food production for Nigerians,” Utsve said.

The Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Aliyu Abdullahi, similarly pledged support for dry-season farming during an October visit to farm clusters in Bwari Area Council, Abuja.

Abdullahi announced plans to launch irrigation farming in November under partnerships with the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and the National Agricultural Growth Scheme’s agro-pocket programme.

The government also disclosed a $134m loan from the African Development Bank to bolster seed and grain production.

While launching the 2024/2025 National Dry Season Farming initiative in Calabar, Minister of Agriculture, Abubakar Kyari, emphasised the government’s declaration of a food production emergency to ensure Nigerians have affordable access to nutritious food.

However, many farmers remain unconvinced.

Kaduna-based farmer La’ah Dauda criticised the interventions as “highly selective” and said they primarily benefit those with connections.

“Even the information is limited. They create awareness only in areas they favour. How will you attract new farmers if others are excluded?” he questioned.

In the Federal Capital Territory, the Chairman of the All Farmers Association of Nigeria, Ifraimu Dauda, noted that irrigation farming remains expensive and limited.

“We rely on neighbouring villages near Kaduna State for irrigation farming,” he said, calling for more government investment in irrigation infrastructure.

An agricultural economist at the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Tobi Awolope identified structural issues in Nigeria’s agricultural system.

She warned that over-reliance on rainfed agriculture and recent droughts have exacerbated food insecurity, leading to price hikes and reduced availability.

“The farming system in Nigeria needs to move beyond seasonal crops. Proper irrigation would allow farmers to grow crops year-round, ensuring stable prices and greater accessibility,” Awolope said.

She noted that small-scale farmers lack the capital to implement such systems and called on the government to prioritize irrigation infrastructure.

Awolope also warned against food hoarding, which disrupts supply and inflates prices.

“Hoarding makes food inaccessible to vulnerable households,” she added, emphasizing the need for social safety nets to protect those most affected by rising food costs.

Associate Professor Unekwuojo Onuche of the University of Africa, Bayelsa, lamented the government’s delayed provision of irrigation facilities.

“Farmers waste resources preparing their land and assembling equipment while waiting for promised interventions that never materialize. This leads to demoralization, wasted investment, and potential food insecurity,” he said.

Onuche warned that unmet promises could trigger far-reaching consequences, including malnutrition, increased crime, and social unrest.

Experts caution that Nigeria’s food insecurity crisis is nearing critical levels.

The Cadre Harmonisé report projects that 133.1 million Nigerians could face a hunger crisis by 2025.

Meanwhile, the National Bureau of Statistics reported an average annual food inflation rate of 38.12 per cent for October 2024, a sharp rise from 26.33 per cent in October 2023.

Awolope emphasised the urgency of transitioning to irrigation-based farming and addressing the challenges of smallholder farmers.

“Farmers cannot do this alone,” she said. “The government must step in to ensure year-round food production and stable prices for all Nigerians.”

With food insecurity already threatening millions, experts stress the importance of timely and inclusive government interventions to secure Nigeria’s agricultural future.