Bringing "Sexy" Back to Farming

 

When George Washington said - I know of no pursuit in which more real and important services can be rendered to any country than by improving its agriculture, its breed of useful animals, and other branches of a husbandman's cares. - believe me, he knew exactly what he was talking about.

    Farming is important to any nation. The cry for bread culminated in the French Revolution, proving that a hungry man is indeed an angry man. Why then are people running far away from farming in Nigeria? I mentioned in one of my past blogs how none of the students in the schools participating in the Bayelsa CDA STARS Project (see www.bayelsacdastars.com) were interested in becoming farmers or fishermen when they grow up. They all wanted to be doctors, lawyers etc. Even in the North, where majority of Nigeria's farmers reside, it is said that the youth are moving away from farming and embracing other types of work. This "farming emigration" has contributed to the drop in subsistence farming, which is the predominant type of farming in Nigeria today. The decline in farming from before the oil boom till date is truly significant.

    It is certain that Nigeria has the resources to make it one of the world's leading exporters of agricultural products. The Goodluck Jonathan led government has realised this and is taking the right steps to achieve this status. I listened to a speech delivered by the current Minister for Agriculture where he declared that Nigerians were "eating beyond our means". The Minister stated that the high importation of rice, wheat and marine products into our country renders the local farmers useless. He exclaimed that "our farmers sow in hope but reap in tears!". It is thus not difficult to understand why the young people are running away from farming. The Minister identified that food security in Nigeria is now a matter of national security and advised that the country must learn from Asian countries by tapping into all the resources of its farmers across the nation and deliver a green revolution that will make Nigeria self-sufficient in food production. His wise advise was that: “We must turn Nigeria into a bread basket – a power house for food production. To do so, we must make a fundamental paradigm shift: Agriculture is a business, not a development programme. It must be structured, developed, resourced and financed as a business,” I couldn't agree with him more.

Subsistence farming

    We need to get professional about agriculture. The World Bank and CBN are aiding increase in commercial agricultural production with the various loans they have made available to the State Governments for use by local farmers. This support should however, not end there. Farmers' training programs should be enforced for the farmers to access a higher amount of funds. This way, local farmers will develop themselves to get more money for their businesses. The Government should work with various agricultural bodies to make these courses available. Subsistence farming is just what it is - farming to subsist! Whilst I am in no way condemning small scale farming, as large collections of small scale farmers play a great role in feeding our nation, I believe farming will be more attractive as a career path where the potential of getting rich is high. For wealth to be made, medium - large scale, mechanized, commercial farming is the way. The machinery for largescale farming requires huge capital, so one understands why most local farmers just subsist. The question is: "why have not many of our wealthy Nigerians invested in farming?" Do they think it unproductive or is the capital tied in for too long before profits start to roll in? A young friend of mine recently left her higly placed job with an international organisation to invest in farming. She has taken a few courses and participates in many agricultural related workshops that have exposed her to the numerous funds available for structured businesses engaged in farming. I tell you, she has not looked back for one minute. More people that understand the importance of acquiring skills in whatever endeavour one embarks on, need to take this path. When our students of today see that there are young, trendy, professional farmers that are doing well, they will consider becoming farmers.

    In Bayelsa, with Sagbama being designated as our agricultural estate and with the various fishing projects that the Government has invested in, we are anticipating that in the next few years, the State will reap more farming products in joy. We however, do not want the Government to be the major player in farming, we need our influential people to invest in farming too. Where a few more medium- large scale farms spring up, there will be jobs for more of our youth. Where these unemployed youth take these jobs, even if as last resort, they may subsequently see the possibility of making money from mechanized farming and be encouraged to pursue more agricultural related courses and establish a career in this sector. Just as the "rebranding Nigeria" project, the Government needs to commence a "rebranding farming" project towards making farming attractive - Operation "Bringing Sexy Back to Farming" will certainly catch our attention. We definitely need it.