Akure Summit: There is a Problem of Nomadic Challenges Facing Farmers — Olusola
By Olusegun HOSEA, Akure
9th July, 2026
An agricultural consultant, Sola Adeniyan, has spoken extensively on the biggest challenges facing farmers in our country, particularly in Ondo State. He spoke on the biggest challenges and opportunities in the agricultural sector with the correspondent of Exponent Magazine News in Akure, where he explained the problem of nomadic herders troubling farmers on the field and said they are trying to put together solutions to the problem.
Secondly, he identified the issue of land availability for farming, infrastructural deficits, roads, farm roads, electricity, feeder roads, and storage facilities as the major problems farmers are facing. He said the high cost of inputs nowadays, coupled with adulterated inputs available here and there, are also major challenges farmers are facing presently.
Adeniyan, who complained about the shortage of storage facilities, explained that storage facilities are inadequate. According to him, the marketing system is also a problem and farmers are not getting maximum benefit from their work on the field. He therefore called on the government to do something about these challenges.
In another development, the agricultural consultant said that from production to processing, there are challenges at every point along the value chain.
When asked what solutions he thinks the government can come up with, Mr. Olusola said, “We have provided lots and lots of solutions. Policy issues must be addressed, and new enabling policies have to be developed for all the actors along the value chain to operate successfully and profitably. If we don’t have enabling policies that can support all we have recommended, all the efforts will be in vain.”
He continued by saying, “Whether we like it or not, farmers and processors need funds to do their jobs.”
He explained what farmers could do to access funds for their businesses. According to him, “We can access funding from development partners, development agencies, and other sources. We can leverage such funds for various farming activities.”
Speaking on production, the consultant said, “We have recommended that farmers should come together to form cooperatives. Government should train them on group dynamics, strengthen them, and support their operations.”
He continued by saying, “We have agreed on one thing: the era of saying government has no business doing business is gone. Particularly in the agricultural sector, government has a lot to do in many areas.”
Talking about the provision of subsidies to farmers, Adeniyan said, “The provision of subsidies has to be done by the government. Even in developed countries, governments still subsidise farm inputs. The United States government subsidises the cost of inputs for its farmers. These are some of the solutions we have provided.”
He also spoke about land availability, saying, “We have recommended what we call the Land Bank Scheme, where government land, community land, and privately owned land can be pooled together and administered by a central committee for the benefit of all landowners. This will also increase revenue accruing to the government under the programme.”
While speaking, the agricultural consultant said that, for the problem of nomadic herders, “We have recommended that all herders should be registered in the state. The security network and all security agencies should work together instead of operating in silos in order to handle this issue once and for all for the betterment of the state at large.”
Chief Adedipe Adekoya
Also speaking on the matter was another participant, Chief Adedipe Adekoya, who expressed his opinion on what he gained from the summit. He told our reporter that the summit brought about cooperation among the Akure-speaking communities.
“What I can deduce from the summit is the cooperation among the Akure-speaking communities, comprising Akure South, Akure North, and Ifedore Local Government,” he said.
He added that insecurity has become a major challenge preventing farmers from carrying out their farming activities.
He advised the government to take proactive action in combating the problem.
“My advice to the government is that it should give greater attention to addressing insecurity. It should not depend on the government alone. The government should collaborate with local security groups and community members to tackle the problem.”
He said the Nigeria Hunters and Forest Security Service, the OPC, the Amotekun Corps, and individuals should all cooperate to overcome insecurity.
