How insecurity, climate change caused N2trn loss for

From Adetutu Folasade-Koyi, Abuja

Former presidential candidate, Dr. Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim, has said insecurity caused Nigerian farmers to lose N2 trillion between 2022 and 2024.

He also highlighted climate change as another factor affecting farmers in the country.

Speaking at the 27th annual convention and the 26th annual lecture series of the Alumni Association of the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Ogun State, Olawepo-Hashim said according to the National Bureau of Statistics, between 2022 and 2024, about half a million farmers were displaced, leading to a loss of over N2 trillion.

In the Middle Belt, he said a study revealed a drop of over 70 per cent in farming activities leading to shortages of maize crops, yam, among others.

He said the Institute of Peace Study revealed that in 2024, over 3,500 cases of kidnapping occurred in Nigeria.

“The Nigeria agricultural sector has vast opportunities but it is limited by sundry issues of which the latest and most urgent are rising insecurity in farm lands across the country and climate change.

“Apart from the above urgent issues, there are other issues that have fairly been around for a while undermining agricultural productivity and prosperity in the sector. They include the following: Poor Infrastructure and Market Access; poor road networks also hinder timely delivery of farm produce to markets. The African Development Bank notes that post-harvest losses in Nigeria exceed $9 billion annually, primarily due to inadequate transportation and storage.”

Earlier, he spoke on the role of Alumni Contributions to Development and emphasised that “alumni associations all over the world serve the same or similar purpose.”

This, he said, includes providing a platform for networking. They help alumni stay connected and maintain relationships with the Alma mater. Alumni associations can support the development and advancement of their alma mater.”

On their roles in national development, he submitted that alumni associations increasingly shape national development through funding, innovation, and strategic investments.

He however argued that only a minority target agriculture despite its critical economic role.

FUNAAB Vice Chancellor, Professor Tunde Kehinde, said he was honored and proud of the association, especially the support given in the areas of helping the school in the areas of acquisition of many hectares of land for food cultivation and food security for the country.

He equally appreciated the kind gesture of the association in relieving poor and indigent students of the school by offsetting millions of naira for their school fees.