AFAN PRESIDENT: “FOOD SECURITY NOT TINIBU's RESPONSIBILITY ALONE”

AFAN PRESIDENT: “FOOD SECURITY NOT TINIBU's RESPONSIBILITY ALONE”

 The President of the All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), Arc. Kabir Ibrahim, has stated that the responsibility of addressing Nigeria’s worsening food crisis does not lie with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu alone.

Speaking on Daily Politics, a current affairs program, Ibrahim emphasized the need for collective national action involving all tiers of government, private stakeholders, and local communities to tackle the multifaceted challenges threatening food security in the country.

"It is not Tinubu’s responsibility alone to support farmers,” Ibrahim asserted. “State governments, local governments, and communities must step up. Everyone has a role to play.”

Rising Challenges for Farmers

Nigeria’s farmers, particularly smallholders, are facing enormous obstacles including:

Escalating costs of farm inputs (fertilizer, seeds, and agrochemicals)

Insecurity and violent attacks on farming communities

Poor access to credit and farm mechanization

Bad roads and inadequate storage infrastructure

Ibrahim criticized the disparity between high food prices at markets and the low income received by farmers, noting that middlemen and transport costs contribute significantly to food inflation.

“Farmers are suffering. We are not the ones profiting from these price hikes,” he said.

“Support Smallholders, Not Just Big Players”

The AFAN president stressed that the key to long-term food security lies in empowering smallholder farmers, who make up the majority of Nigeria’s food producers.

"Smallholder farmers remain the backbone of our agricultural system. We must empower them with access to credit, inputs, and machinery,” he added.

He warned against over-reliance on emergency food imports, calling instead for sustainable agricultural development and rural investment.

Inflation, Hunger, and Urgent Reforms

With food inflation soaring to nearly 40% in 2025, Ibrahim cautioned that millions of Nigerians risk falling into extreme hunger if comprehensive reforms are not implemented.

"Agriculture must be prioritized beyond politics. It’s about survival now,” he said.

AFAN has called on the government to deliver on its promises, including the delayed distribution of tractors and agricultural support packages, while also urging for greater security and rural infrastructure.

📝 Reporter’s Note:

AFAN’s message reflects growing public pressure on government at all levels to address the food crisis through effective and transparent agricultural policies. As Nigeria battles inflation, insecurity, and declining productivity, experts agree that the country cannot afford to ignore the voices of those who produce its food.