An agronomist, Lawal Masa, has advised farmers to embrace agricultural insurance services to minimize losses and safeguard their investments.
Masa gave the advice in an interview with reporters on Thursday in Bauchi.
He said effective insurance coverage would encourage prudent management of capital and proper preservation of farm produce.
According to him, agricultural insurance protects farmers from losses arising from high input costs and climate-related challenges.
The expert urged farmers to enroll in the Nigerian Agricultural Insurance Corporation (NAIC) scheme to protect themselves against weather-induced risks.
Masa also advised farmers against rushing to sell their grains immediately after harvest, saying delayed sales could yield higher profits.
“Avoid excessive borrowing and cultivate land within your capacity. Peace of mind comes from prudent planning and faith in God,” he said.
He identified high input costs, weak consumer purchasing power, and rising labor expenses as major challenges confronting farmers during the current cropping season.
Masa urged farmers to remain resilient and plan effectively to sustain agricultural growth in the state.
He attributed the shortage of farm labor to the increasing involvement of youths in more lucrative sectors such as mining, which has diverted manpower away from agriculture.
The agronomist called on the state government to adopt proactive measures to improve farmers’ access to inputs and interest-free credit facilities to boost productivity.
