Replacing Ageing Farmers

In normal circumstances, ageing is regarded as a positive and inevitable metabolic process which every one is destined to undergo.

In virtually all human societies, a person’s age is considered a dependent variable whenever issues relating to wisdom and rational thinking are discussed.

However, ageing somewhat turns out to be a source of worry whenever attempts are made to examine its impact on energy sapping occupations such as farming.

Farming is a noble occupation and I think many aged farmers do not regret for engaging in the occupation. The argument is that farming is the only occupation that puts food on one’s table. However, it is regrettable that the younger generation of Nigerians no longer considers it a dignified work.

Why it is so varies for individuals. This could be ascribed to the fact that most farmers have nothing to show for years of engaging in a backbreaking occupation. Apart from struggling to meet family needs, most farmers have to grapple with the ever-increasing demands of every day living. This pitiable economic status of the average Nigerian farmers could be blamed on the drudgery of farming which is compounded by lack of access to, modern agricultural equipment. This plight of the farmer aptly typifies the conditions of the average Nigerian.

The emerging problem that rends my heart is that most of the country’s farmers are ageing fast. This is due to the subsistence nature of our farming and the amount of energy invested in it. A revelation of what an average Nigerian farmer makes in a month is shocking. It is very difficult for farmers to make N50,000 annually. Their over reliance on crude farming implements like hoes and cutlasses makes it hard for them to earn what commensurate with their labour.

The labour put into farming in this country is such that by the time an average farmer attains 60 years, he would have become completely worn out. That is why many farmers look frail and older than their ages. In addition, Nigerian farmers are also predisposed to all manner of ailments while in many of them die prematurely.

Many are forced to retire because the labourious nature of the occupation takes its toll on their health. In the usuage of this, it is hard to comprehend why the idea of using modern farming implements to boost production still remains a mirage. This fear aptly reflects the qualms of many farmers, as their plight across the country appears to be similar.

A major consequence of the development is the dwindling population of farmers in the country, as farming has become largely unattractive to the youths because of certain socio-economic considerations.

It has become necessary for our nation to show more concern for the precarious state of farming in the country, particularly, in the face of the global food crisis, which has forced many countries to look at pragmatic ways of increasing their food production.

Government’s intervention in the agriculture sector has become imperative, in view, of the disturbing phenomenon in which Nigeria spends N1.3 trillion in the importation of wheat, rice, sugar and fish every year which makes the country the second largest importer of rice in the world. If we truly want to feed our selves in a world where access to food is becoming increasingly challenging, we msut rally round our farmers.

A way of doing this is to implement the Agricultural Transformation Action Plan (ATAP) which is a vital aspect of the transformation agenda of the Jonathan administration. This will boost agricultural production in the country. The government must come up with a different approach in the execution of ATAP. The primary focus has to be for farmers and their welfare. If the farmers are able to produce sufficient food, food prices will drop and food will become more affordable to citizens

Another way is for the government to address critical challenges in the sector such as poorly developed market, poor markets infrastructure, poor roads, lack of storage facilities and the dearth of reliable market information. The government has to develop rural infrastructure in particular so as to motivate youths to take agriculture as an occupation.

In all, what is required is a faithful implementation of all agricultural programmes to enable farmers to maximally benefit from it. Government has initiate pragmatic plans to make farming more appealing, especially to the youth.

Arnold Alalibo