By Hassan Ibrahim
The Deputy Director of the National Agricultural Extension and Research Liaison Services (NAERLS), Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, Professor Muhammad Musa Jaliya, has urged the Federal Government to increase investment in local agriculture to achieve sustainable food security and reduce Nigeria's dependence on imported food.
Speaking with journalists in Zaria, Professor Jaliya described the recent improvement in food availability and the gradual decline in food prices as a welcome development that should benefit Nigerians, particularly residents of Northern Nigeria.
He, however, noted that although food importation has helped ease shortages in the short term, Nigeria continues to spend huge amounts of foreign exchange importing food that can be produced locally.
According to the agricultural expert, redirecting the funds spent on food imports towards supporting local farmers, improving access to modern farming inputs and expanding agricultural production would strengthen the nation's economy while guaranteeing long-term food security.
Professor Jaliya recalled that before food imports became widespread, agriculture was a major driver of Nigeria's economy, with farmers playing a leading role in wealth creation and national development.
He stressed that while ensuring food availability is important, sustainable food security can only be achieved through consistent investment in local agricultural production rather than relying heavily on imported food.
The NAERLS Deputy Director called on the government to provide farmers with affordable fertilizers, improved seeds and other essential farm inputs, saying such support would increase productivity, lower production costs and make food more affordable for consumers.
He also advised commercial farmers to carefully manage production expenses, including fertilizers, agrochemicals and labour, particularly at a time when grain prices remain relatively low, in order to sustain profitability.
Professor Jaliya further encouraged farmers to cultivate crops that require fewer fertilizer inputs, explaining that doing so would reduce production costs while maintaining good yields.
He also emphasized the need for farmers to embrace value addition through the processing of agricultural produce, noting that processing would increase income, reduce post-harvest losses and create more employment opportunities across the agricultural value chain.
The university don further urged farmers to form and join cooperative societies to improve their access to processing equipment, credit facilities and other forms of support that would enhance productivity and contribute to Nigeria's long-term food security.
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