24/05/2026
Insecurity and the Farming System in Nigeria: A Challenge Before the Agricultural Extensionist.
For many Nigerians, farming is more than an occupation. It is a way of life, a means of survival, and the hope of feeding families and sustaining communities. Across rural areas, farmers rise before dawn, work under harsh weather conditions, and struggle daily to provide food for the nation. Yet today, beyond the normal challenges of farming, insecurity has become a painful burden hanging over the agricultural system in Nigeria.
In many farming communities, fear now walks side by side with hard work. Farmers who once cultivated their lands freely now worry about attacks, kidnapping, banditry, communal clashes, and violent conflicts. Some can no longer access their farms safely. Others have abandoned fertile lands completely, not because they lack the will to farm, but because survival has become more important than production.
This difficult reality has also placed a heavy responsibility on the agricultural extensionist. Traditionally, extension workers serve as the bridge between agricultural innovations and rural farmers. They educate farmers on improved practices, encourage productivity, and help communities embrace better farming methods. However, carrying out these responsibilities becomes extremely difficult when the environment itself is unsafe.
An extensionist cannot effectively serve farmers he or she cannot safely reach. In many parts of Nigeria, extension agents now travel with uncertainty and fear. Roads leading to farming communities may be dangerous, and some rural areas have become inaccessible. As a result, many farmers are cut off from valuable information that could improve their productivity and livelihoods.
The consequences are deeply felt. When insecurity forces farmers away from their land, food production drops. Families lose income. Hunger increases. Food prices rise in both rural and urban markets. Behind every statistic is a real human story — a father unable to provide for his children, a mother watching her harvest destroyed by conflict, or a young farmer losing hope in agriculture altogether.
Insecurity also weakens trust and stability within rural communities. Farmers become less willing to invest in new technologies or improved farming systems because they are uncertain about tomorrow. Even when extension services introduce innovations, fear often overshadows adoption. People naturally focus first on safety before progress.
For displaced farming families living in temporary shelters or camps, the situation becomes even more painful. Many lose not only their farms but also their dignity, independence, and sense of belonging. In such moments, the role of the extensionist goes beyond teaching agriculture. It becomes a role of encouragement, compassion, and rebuilding hope within broken communities.
Despite these challenges, agricultural extensionists continue to play a vital role in sustaining the nation’s food system. Their resilience deserves recognition. Many still travel to rural areas, organize farmer trainings, and support communities despite the risks involved. Their commitment reflects the importance of agriculture not only as an economic activity but as a human necessity.
Moving forward, Nigeria must recognize that agricultural development cannot thrive where insecurity persists. Protecting farmers means protecting national food security. Government, security agencies, community leaders, and development organizations must work together to create safer rural environments where both farmers and extension workers can operate without fear.
There is also a need to embrace more adaptive extension methods such as radio programs, mobile communication, and community-based information systems to ensure farmers continue receiving support even in difficult conditions.
Insecurity is not just a security problem; it is a human problem affecting livelihoods, food systems, and national development. It has become one of the greatest challenges facing both farmers and agricultural extensionists in Nigeria today. Yet, even in the face of fear and uncertainty, the determination of rural farmers and extension workers remains a powerful reminder that agriculture is still the heartbeat of the nation and the hope for a better future.
Sematex FARMS
