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Izy OKU
2 weeks ago
Overview
Agric In Nigeria (January Edition): Nigerian farmers count gains, pains
Nigeria’s agriculture sector recorded numerous challenges in January, from climate change impacts to conflicts between farmers and herders.
Earlier in the month, the Nigerian Women for Agricultural Progressive and Development Initiative (NWAPDI) sounded an urgent call for greater attention to female farmers’ plight, emphasising their critical role in the country’s food security.
At an event in Lagos, the organisation’s National Coordinator, Omolara Svensson, decried the lack of robust data and structural support in the agricultural sector, citing these as significant barriers to progress.
“Women constitute approximately 90 per cent of the workforce in Nigeria’s agricultural sector, yet they remain under-recognised and unsupported,” Ms Svensson said. “Without their tireless contributions, food insecurity in the country would have reached unprecedented levels this year.”
In Jigawa State, a clash between farmers and herders resulted in the loss of ten lives.
Despite these challenges, there are some positive developments in the sector.
Cocoa farmers in the agrarian communities of Oyo State count gains from the soaring prices of cocoa beans in the outgoing season.
According to them, proceeds from cocoa farming in the outgoing season tripled what they realised in the previous cocoa farming season. They said the development had positively impacted their living standard, as some had conveniently embarked on house-building projects, buying cars and motorcycles among others.
However, other farmers have not been as fortunate. In Kwara State, rice plantations were submerged by water from the Jebba Dam, resulting in millions of naira in losses, prompting the state government to demand an investigation into the incident.
https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/headlines/772100-agric-in-nigeria-january-edition-nigerian-farmers-count-gains-pains
