Stakeholders in agriculture sector have called on government to provide loans to smallholder farmers as a way of boosting food production in the country.
They said, by investing in agriculture machinery, as part of commitment to the sector, government would not only reduce high cost of labour, it will also enable farmers to cultivate large expanse of land, and optimise their output for good returns.
They also noted that with advanced tools at their disposal, farmers can streamline their operations, save time, and produce higher quality crops, which in turn, will contribute to food security, economic growth, and overall development of the country.
A young farmer, based in Osun State, Keji Afolabi, lamented that farmers, especially smallholders, are facing a lot of challenges owing to lack of equipment and machineries, adding that the lingering challenges are responsible for low yield and time wasting during cultivation. He said: “Farmers are very important in any society and the country, they play important role in feeding the country and without the farmers the entire country will be in distress.
“Providing loans to real farmers for machinery will be very beneficial, especially to the small-scale farmers. These farmers often face financial constraints that hinder their ability to invest in necessary equipment.
“By offering loans tailored to their needs, the government can level the playing field and empower them to compete with larger agricultural enterprises. This will not only improve their livelihoods, it will also strengthen rural communities by boosting local economies and creating employment opportunities.”
He stressed that provision of loans to real farmers for acquiring machinery will assist the farmers to embrace modern technology, increase efficiency, and contribute to sustainable farming practices.
“By supporting the farmers in this way, government will be playing a crucial role in promoting food security, economy growth, and the overall wellbeing of our society.”
A civil servant, Mrs Funke Ashaolu, who is also a farmer, said lack of machineries for operations is really affecting her farms, as the cultivation process is always very slow. She said the government can help them with financial support, in form of loan. “This will help me in different ways.”
A student of Osun State Polytechnic, Toyosi Arije, who is also a farmer, said the development is hindering him from meeting his target of large scale production.
“If the government can provide us loan, we will make a very big impact and bring changes to the food supply chain in the country and there will be surplus food for everyone in the country.
“The loan will also help farmers have knowledge about the modern day technology and this will help the society, especially the young generation. It will also inspire them to be a successful farmer. This will also help the country to generate foods, export to other countries and it reduction of unemployment,” he said.
