…Says policies abundant but results weak; calls for farmer aggregation, sustained investment
Nigeria’s persistent food inflation, despite signs of easing headline inflation, has once again exposed deep structural flaws in the country’s agricultural system, with a Senior Economist at the World Bank, Dr. Adetunji Oredipe, attributing the crisis to poor policy implementation, weak coordination, and inadequate funding.
Speaking during an interview on Frontline, a current affairs programme on Eagle 102.5 FM, Ilese-Ijebu, Ogun State, Oredipe said Nigeria’s agricultural challenge is no longer about lack of ideas but the inability to translate policies into tangible outcomes.
“Agricultural policy in Nigeria has come a long way… but what we need now is execution. The policies are there, the ideas are there, but the results are not matching expectations,” he said.
Three Core Objectives Still Unmet
Oredipe outlined three fundamental goals of agriculture—food security, revenue generation, and job creation—warning that Nigeria is yet to achieve any of them at scale.
“We must feed our people, generate foreign exchange, and create jobs. These are the pillars, yet we still have a long way to go,” he noted.
Policy Inconsistency, Weak Execution
According to him, successive governments have introduced various agricultural frameworks but failed to sustain them due to shifting priorities and inconsistent implementation.
He referenced past initiatives such as Operation Feed the Nation (OFN) and the Agricultural Transformation Agenda (ATA), stressing that while policies evolve, the core objectives remain unchanged.
ATA Gains Undermined by Funding Gaps
Oredipe, who played a role in the ATA under former Agriculture Minister Akinwunmi Adesina, described the programme as innovative but ultimately constrained by funding and political will.
The ATA introduced the e-wallet system, enabling farmers to access inputs directly, and reached about 14 million farmers nationwide. However, sustaining such масштаб proved difficult.
“Such initiatives require consistent funding and commitment, which were not maintained,” he said.
Anchor Borrowers Scheme, Structural Weaknesses
While acknowledging the impact of the Anchor Borrowers’ Programme supported by the Central Bank of Nigeria, Oredipe stressed that poor farmer organization remains a major bottleneck.
“We need to aggregate farmers into formidable groups. Investors cannot go from farm to farm. A structured system makes investment easier and more efficient,” he explained.
Insecurity Worsening Agricultural Crisis
Oredipe warned that insecurity has evolved beyond farmer-herder conflicts into widespread kidnapping and criminality, significantly affecting agricultural productivity.
“Kidnapping has become a major national issue… it goes beyond agriculture and is driven by economic and criminal motives,” he said.
Ogun’s Mechanisation Efforts Noted
He commended the Ogun State government for supporting farmers through mechanisation and tractor service centres, particularly in areas like Ilaro and Ijebu Ode.
“These interventions help farmers reduce land preparation costs, which is a major part of production expenses,” he said.
Global Shocks, Local Realities
Oredipe also linked Nigeria’s agricultural struggles to external shocks, including the Russia-Ukraine War, which disrupted global food systems.
“A shock is a shock—it affects all economies, and Nigeria is no exception,” he noted.
Supply-Side Solution Over Price Control
On rising food prices, Oredipe backed supply-driven solutions rather than price controls, aligning with government thinking.
“When supply increases, prices naturally decline. It’s basic economics,” he said, while emphasizing the need to balance farmer incentives with consumer protection.
Underfunding Below Global Benchmark
He revealed that Nigeria’s agricultural funding falls below the recommended global benchmark of 10 percent, hovering between 4–5 percent.
“With security demands taking a large share of resources, agriculture continues to be underfunded,” he explained.
Livestock Reform and RUGA Debate
Oredipe defended livestock reforms, including RUGA settlements, describing them as necessary for efficiency and reducing conflict.
“Modern livestock systems improve productivity and reduce losses from constant movement,” he said.
Youth, Innovation Key to Future
Looking ahead, he stressed the importance of attracting young people into agriculture through digitalisation and innovation.
“We must make agriculture more appealing and modern for young people. Digitalisation is critical,” he said.
Execution Remains the Missing Link
Oredipe concluded that Nigeria’s agricultural crisis stems not from lack of plans but from failure to execute and sustain them effectively.
“As a planner, sustainability is key. The real issue is that resources and commitment are not consistent,” he said.
