The South-West Youth Leaders of the All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN) have proposed the creation of a specialised Agro-Ranger and Farm Protection Security Units across South-West States, as part of efforts to tackle the high level of insecurity affecting many farmers in the South-West, and across the country.

The South-West Youth Leaders of AFAN made the call in a communique issued at a press conference in Ibadan, where they addressed issues surrounding insecurity, food security, and agricultural development in South-West Nigeria.

The communique, addressed to President Bola Tinubu and the governors of the South-West States, was signed by the Chairman of AFAN South-West Youth Leaders, Comrade Feyisayo Dada (Ekiti State), the Secretary, Hon. Jamiu Kolawole Adebukanla (Ogun State), and youth leaders of the other states, Comrade Tope Odetola (Lagos State), Engr. Akeem Raheem (Osun State), Mr Makinde Odetola (Ondo State), and Mr Deji Adenugba (Oyo State).

The youth leaders, speaking on behalf of farmers, agribusiness entrepreneurs, youth and women in agriculture across Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Osun, Ekiti, and Ondo states, called the attention of the federal government and the South-West state governors to the worrisome trend of insecurity affecting farmers, farming activities, food production and rural livelihoods in the region.

The AFAN Youth leaders, while acknowledging President Bola Tinubu’s agricultural intervention programmes aimed at boosting food production, noted that insecurity remained a major threat to the success of the government’s initiatives and to the nation’s food security objectives.

The youth leaders raised concerns over the rising kidnappings and attacks on farmers, farm workers, and agribusiness investors across the South-West, which has forced many farmers to abandon their farms due to fear of abductions and ransom demands. They also lamented the destruction of farmlands and crops by roaming cattle herds, which has continued to worsen conflicts between crop farmers and livestock owners.

The AFAN South-West Youth Leaders say the twin damage of attacks on farmers and the destruction of farmlands and crops has led to the loss of significant investments due to crop damage, resulting in reduced food production and financial hardship for farmers. They added that such criminal activities have negatively affected agricultural productivity, discouraged investment, and threatened the livelihoods of thousands of farming families.

In addition to the specialised Agro-Ranger and Farm Protection Security Units, the AFAN South-West Youth Leaders also proposed establishing a joint security task force in each state involving security agencies, local communities, and farmers’ associations. Furthermore, they called for the deployment of surveillance technologies, drones and community intelligence systems for farm security.

The AFAN South-West Youth Leaders highlighted other challenges facing farming and agriculture in the South-West, including the “mismatch between agricultural inputs and regional climate conditions.”

They said, “Many agricultural inputs distributed through federal intervention programmes do not adequately reflect the ecological and climatic realities of the South-West region. Farmers require location-specific support, including improved seedlings, climate-smart technologies, irrigation facilities, mechanisation equipment, and extension services tailored to South-West agricultural conditions.”

The AFAN South-West Youth Leaders also noted the dependence on subsistence farming in the region, and called for mechanisation support for young farmers.

“Agriculture in the South-West must transition from predominantly hoe-and-cutlass farming to technology-driven production systems. We advocate for tractor hiring centres in all local government areas, youth-focused mechanisation schemes, farm equipment leasing programmes, digital agriculture solutions, agricultural innovation hubs, and agribusiness support programmes.

“Modern agricultural tools and technologies will make farming more attractive, profitable, and productive for young people.”

The AFAN South-West Youth Leaders also called for an inclusive approach to livestock development, urging the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development to provide a larger investment and strategy plan for the whole livestock chain, beyond cattle production.

They said, “The Federal Ministry of Livestock Development should broaden its interventions beyond cattle production alone. We call for equal attention and support to all livestock value chains, including fisheries, poultry, small ruminants (goats and sheep), piggery, rabbit production, snail farming, and beekeeping.

“A diversified livestock strategy will create jobs, improve food security, and increase economic opportunities for youth and the people.”

The proposals and recommendations of the AFAN South-West Youth Leaders, particularly in the area of security, come amid rising insecurity, which has affected farmers in the region, including crop, poultry, and livestock farmers.