Farmers' president wishes well Christians, Nigerians for new year

The National President, All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), Architect Kabir Ibrahim has expressed his Christmas best wishes to all Christians, and happy new year to all Nigerians, saying the year is so peculiar with food insecurity challenges. Ibrahim asked farmers to work in unity in order to be able to confront their challenges effectively towards food sufficiency in the country. 

Read the full text of the message sent to Food Farm News yesterday  "

It is yet another epoch making occasion in our quest for sustainable food security and 

I humbly write to wish you and every Nigerian the best Christmas ever and a prosperous New Year ahead.

While this wish is almost cliche’ in our society, this year it is very symbolic due to the challenges the SHFs(small holder farmers) had during the most part of 2020, 2021 and 2022 ranging from the COVID-19 pandemic, Insecurity, high cost of fertilizers and other inputs to the devastating flooding of 2022"

"The SHFs(small holder farmers) which form 70% of our membership remain the engine room of food production in our food system and as AFAN is the umbrella body of all the farmers, it is pertinent to note the following in trying to build our “food system” and to be able to attain food sufficiency and the most desired Food Security in the nearest future:

1).All the farmers in Nigeria should try to speak with one voice on all issues affecting the Agriculture space to be able to make the government more focused and accountable to the people who elected them.

2). The farmers should rally around honest and transparent farmer leaders and not opportunists who eat fat on the sweat of all Nigerians to be able to make Nigeria food sufficient and therefore sustainably livable.

3). The farmers should create sustainable synergies among them by relating effectively and peacefully with each other regardless of belonging to different commodities to be able to impact the Agriculture Space sustainably. 

4).The farmers should work in harmony to rid their lot of dishonest members who are perpetually shortchanging them by working with incompetent and corrupt public servants to swindle them in the oft-repeated dishonest charade of “input distribution” in limited areas in Nigeria.

5). The farmers should be financial members of their various associations in order to function properly and join hands with AFAN to become relevant stakeholders in the governance structure of Nigeria’s Agriculture.

6). The farmers should work together to elect a government that has the best intention to make Agriculture the backbone of Nigeria’s economy.

7). The farmers should always strive to be their brothers’ and Sisters’ keepers to be more impactful in Nigeria.

While the list of “Dos”and “Don’t’s” above is not exhaustive I strongly recommend the 7 bullets outlined for us  all to embrace in 2023.Please.

I wish you all and all Nigerians a “food secure” Nation going forward.

Arc. Kabir Ibrahim FNIA,

National President,

All Farmers Association of Nigeria.