Benjamin Kalu
The National President of the All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), Dr. Farouk Rabiu Mudi, has thrown his weight behind the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, urging him to stay focused on his legislative responsibilities despite mounting criticism from what he described as sponsored commentators and unfounded analysts.
Speaking through a statement issued by AFAN’s National Publicity Secretary, Ibrahim Garba, Dr. Mudi said the time has come for lawmakers to decisively anchor national development on agriculture and agribusiness. He made the remarks shortly after Kalu was honoured with the “Legislative Farmers Father” award at the association’s General Assembly of the Farmers Congress held in Abuja.
According to Mudi, the recognition is not merely ceremonial but symbolic of the growing expectation that the National Assembly will champion policies capable of transforming the agricultural sector. He challenged the Deputy Speaker to approach the nation’s food security concerns with renewed urgency, especially at a time when climate change, market instability, and rising production costs continue to strain farmers across the country.
He noted that volatile commodity prices and the soaring cost of farm inputs have created significant gaps within the agricultural value chain. These pressures, he said, have reduced profitability for farmers and discouraged fresh investment in the sector.
Dr. Mudi reiterated that AFAN remains open to constructive engagement with government and other stakeholders. Leveraging its nationwide membership base, he explained, the association is well-positioned to support the dissemination of timely policy information and help bridge communication gaps between policymakers and farmers.
The AFAN president also appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to scale up support for farmers through targeted subsidies on inputs, tractors, and modern farming equipment. He warned that persistent post-harvest losses—running into tens of millions of metric tons annually—pose a serious threat to national food sufficiency and farmer livelihoods.
While acknowledging the administration’s substantial budgetary commitments to agriculture, livestock, and poultry, Mudi cautioned that policy inconsistencies—particularly import waivers that allow cheaper foreign produce into the market—could undermine local production and weaken rural economies. He also criticized the multiple levies imposed by state and local authorities on agricultural haulage, describing them as burdens that inflate costs and create uncertainty for investors.
Encouraging AFAN members to seize the opportunity presented by their partnership with the Deputy Speaker’s office, Dr. Mudi said collaboration with the National Assembly could reposition agriculture as a leading revenue generator for Nigeria, second only to oil and gas.
He concluded that with firm legislative backing and sustained stakeholder engagement, the country’s agricultural sector can move beyond subsistence and evolve into a resilient, investment-driven pillar of economic growth.