A member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Gboyega Nasir Isiaka, has said that approximately 800,000 hectares of farmland have been abandoned by farmers across the Middle Belt region of the country due to insecurity.
He described the development as worrisome, considering the growing population of the country.
Isiaka, who represents Yewa North/Imeko Afon Federal Constituency, made this statement while delivering a lecture on the topic “Trajectory of Building an Agro-Prosperous and Zero Hunger Nation: The Paradox of Farm Security,” during the 27th annual convention and 26th annual lecture series of the Alumni Association of the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, on Saturday.
The Representative, who is also the House Committee Chairman on Students Loans, Scholarships, and Higher Education Financing, noted that the country is at a critical stage in its agricultural development, particularly in the areas of persistent food insecurity and farmers’ vulnerability.
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Isiaka acknowledged the need to address the major challenges to reduce their negative impact on agricultural productivity by implementing multifaceted approaches, such as the establishment of designated ranches for livestock rearing, which can mitigate conflicts between farmers and herders.
He also recommended a transparent and equitable land allocation system to resolve disputes and ensure farmers have access to secure land.
Isiaka said, “Nigeria is at a critical juncture in its agricultural development journey. Despite possessing vast arable land, abundant water resources, and a resilient farming population, our nation grapples with a striking paradox: immense agricultural potential existing alongside persistent food insecurity and farmer vulnerability.
“The stakes are unprecedented, with over 70 percent of our population dependent on agriculture for their livelihood. With our population projected to reach 400 million by 2050, the transformation of our agricultural sector is not just an economic imperative but a matter of national security.”
On the issue of agro-prosperity and zero hunger, Isiaka advocated for sustainable farming practices, enhanced infrastructure development, the integration of modern technology with traditional farming wisdom, improved food distribution, enhanced storage and preservation infrastructure, and targeted interventions for vulnerable populations as essential steps to be adopted.
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In his keynote address, the chairman of the occasion, Hon. Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim, similarly submitted that over 500,000 farmers were displaced from their farmlands between 2022 and 2024 due to insecurity.
Olawepo-Hashim, who spoke on the theme of the convention, “Rejuvenation and Building Prosperous Alumni in the Heart of National Economic Stagflation,” said, “Nigeria’s agricultural sector has vast opportunities but is limited by several issues, of which the latest and most urgent are rising insecurity on farmlands across the country and climate change. Between 2022 and 2024, over 500,000 farmers were displaced due to insecurity, leading to a loss of over N2 trillion, according to the National Bureau of Statistics.
“In the Middle Belt, a study revealed a drop of over 70% in farming activities, leading to shortages in maize and yam production.”
The Global President of the FUNAAB Alumni Association, Bolaji Gbadamosi, said the Association had acquired 2,000 acres of land for an Alumni Farm as part of efforts to promote food sufficiency.
FUNAAB Vice Chancellor, Professor Olusola Kehinde, appreciated the Alumni Association for its various interventions in the growth of their alma mater.
