Ms. Chi Tola is the National President of Women in Agriculture Advancement and Sustainability Africa Initiative. She spoke with Stanley Ihedigbo for ASHENEWS on agricultural development and challenges in Nigeria. Excerpts:
Some stakeholders believe that reviving farm settlements in Nigeria would go a long way in improving development of agriculture. What is your view on this?
Most of the farm settlements in Nigeria were built in the 70’s. And I keep saying that one of the challenges we have in Nigeria is lack of continuity. Until our leaders learn to continue what they met on ground or what their predecessors started. We will still be having a lot of wastages in this country. Taking about wastage is not only in the area of the farm settlements but in every infrastructure in the country; and they are just numerous. If as a nation, we believe agriculture is the main thing, we should do more work than talk. I can tell you that the only way for Nigeria to combat inflation in our economy is to invest hugely in the agriculture sector.
If something is not done fast in developing the agriculture sector in Nigeria, there will be a time when those who are siphoning the common wealth – which ought to be used for important projects – will not be able to buy food to eat with the stolen money. It tells us then that government has not done enough when you talk about agricultural development. Also, when you compare agricultural activities in advanced countries or neighbouring African countries, such as Ghana, Ivory Coast, and Benin Republic, the Shonga farm settlements in Benin Republic is doing great job to help improve agriculture in that country. While in Nigeria, we have better farm settlements or farm projects that need a little fund or work. When any government comes on board, they abandon what they meet on ground and start new ones irrespective of the importance of the projects. That shows we don’t take proper management seriously in this part of the world. For example, as a government, you should continue on what is on ground for the benefit of the people. Some government officials come in and repackage the idea and goes somewhere or the governor village to start something. It goes like five to ten years; no any meaningful thing is done in the previous place. Then people have started encroaching into the farm settlements or taking back what they feel belong to them. Back in those days when we were growing up, we have the rubber plantations in Ikenne in Ogun State. It was a wonderful place to visit and when we were in the secondary school, we used to go to them for excursion. In that place, all types of structures were in place and a lot of activities were going on there. It is unfortunate that today, the rubber plantation and other wonderful farm settlements are no where to be found.
Looking at the challenge of insecurity in country, do you think the issue of farms settlements, would be a good idea?
If our government goes into the business of farms’ settlements now, the situation that we found ourselves when it comes to insecurity issues will not be good idea. But the truth of the matter is that people will want to go into farms settlement because of it benefits and what they probably need which is the security. Back then, farm settlements are like a village of its own, there are schools, clinics, and I mean ones managed by white folks. Agriculture produces was in every corners of the country and some are been exported to other countries. But today, it is totally different stories of everyday killings of farmers by herdsmen, bandits and kidnappers. These killings have resulted to the high cost of food in Nigeria markets.
Can we say for now, because of the security situation, the reviving and creating new farm settlements shouldn’t be considered?
How many people will like to go to a place, where they are not sure of security? Then, the farm settlements were managed by white people, and things was going well because there was a rule. Inside the farm settlements, what makes of a town is there and you don’t need to come to the town. Can any of the current government give the people such? However, there are individuals that have farm settlements, their staffs are living in there. The basic needs of the workers are available and some pay huge amount to secure their farms. Farm settlement is very great idea but right now, the kind of situation we have in place, make it impossible. There is huge security challenge facing the country and it is really affecting agriculture produces in Nigeria, not in small measure. Also, it is very important to note that the availability of farm settlements will help to sustain the economic wellbeing by reducing unemployment rate, food shortage, insecurity and other social vices. Also it can help youth equipped with essential skills they can feed themselves, assist others, invest in their future and aid the nation economically. The issue of high of food, with enough farm settlements; it will go a long to regulate the food prices in Nigeria.
Are you aware that the Shonga farm settlement in Benin Republic was initiator of a Nigerian who government denied support in Nigeria?
Majorly, we are our own problem. Looking at the man who went to Benin Republic, to established one of the best farm settlements in Africa and they was a governor who went to Zimbabwe, to bring white farmers , that was sent out by President Robert Mugabe. Like I always say, we don’t value what we have, and the true of the matter is that we know ourselves. Nigeria system will not support a Nigerian concept because; there will not be any back cut or percentage given. But when they bring the some so called foreigners, who understand the system and they are ready to spend any amount and settle anyone that matters. They know what we have in Nigeria and are ready to bribe those in authority to get what they went. I can tell you that those foreigners value what we have as a nation more than us, Nigerians and never loss any of their investment in Nigeria. Like the governor that brought the white Zimbabwe farmers into Nigeria soil can settle up such farm settlements for Nigerians to manage. Rather the foreigners come in and take our land, pay Nigeria policemen to guard them, even guard their farm settlements as well. They will produced and sell to Nigerians at their prices because we don’t have a choice. Also, our government doesn’t have a choice too, because they have collected all the so called foreigners’ profits through back cut or bribe. Again, I know many of farm settlements owns and managed by white people in Nigeria. I am not sure any of them have been attacked by herdsmen or bandits. I know a Nigerian who had made money in aboard that came to settle up farm settlements to support the country, herdsmen invaded his farms and killed him. Please tell me, the Zimbabwe white farmers and other foreigners’ farms operating in Nigeria are they in the sky or immune to herdsmen or bandits attack. On Shonga farm settlements in Benin Republic, I have met the Nigerian who managed the centre several and, he is a man full of knowledge and creativity. People come from Europe, America and Asia to learn from him. Just imagined if Nigeria government was able to support him when he came to settle up such project in the country, it would have been a tourism centre for us. Because if you visit there and see number of foreigners that comes to the place to learn one thing or other everyday.
Which way forward, looking what is happening in Nigeria, particularly in the agriculture development?
My prayer is that God to take away all the wicked leaders who have now and give us leaders with vision, and has the people at heart. We talk about grassroots farmers and government interventions; I had the opportunity of meeting couples of people, who supposedly benefited from the Covid-19 intervention fund. There are small scale farmers that were really affected by the Covid-19 pandemic and one of the groups, I belonged; I could count over 147 of them that are no more doing anything meaningful. Meaning that their businesses are death but all they needed is just N100, 000 to sustain it. You will be surprised that some of them were given N20, 000 and what can that amount do for them. Majority of Nigeria farmers don’t believe in the system and they are just trying to survive.
You are into mushroom farming and how is the business?
True of the matter is that mushroom is not a popular Nigeria meal, compared to other farm produces. Mushroom cultivation is very lucrative and it gives you 100 percentage returns of investment, if everything goes well. For me, as a mushroom farmer of over 15 years, I will always be a mushroom farmer any day. Again, you are doing in farming and add value, the more profits you make. So, I will encourage Nigeria youths to go into mushroom farming, it is very good alternative to protein food and people are going for organic agriculture produces, reducing consumption or intake of red meat. We don’t export our fresh or dry mushroom produces but we add value by packaging them. My advice for anyone who wants to go into mushroom farming should get a proper training from a certified grower, so to be able to add value and make more profit.
