Northern Nigeria remains the cornerstone of the nation’s food security. Its fields feed not only the region but other parts of the country and some West African Countries. Protecting this vital agricultural base is therefore not merely a regional responsibility but a national imperative. Without a strong, confident, and prosperous North, Nigeria cannot realistically sustain itself.
By Shu’aibu Usman Leman
Across Northern Nigeria today, there is a growing sense of anxiety within the agricultural sector. The hard-working men and women who have historically formed the backbone of the region’s food production now face an increasingly precarious future. Their toil, once a source of pride and stability, is being undermined by forces far beyond their control.
From the rich farmlands of Kano and Jigawa to the arid plains of Bauchi and Yobe, farmers speak of the same dilemma — a painful squeeze between soaring production costs and collapsing farmgate prices. The economic reality of farming has turned grim, transforming what was once a sustainable livelihood into a perilous gamble for survival.
Despite countless pledges and policy statements, the reality on the ground has scarcely changed. Inputs such as fertilisers, improved seeds, and agrochemicals have become prohibitively expensive. In some areas, farmers simply abandon sections of their fields because they cannot afford the necessary inputs to cultivate them effectively.
This crisis cannot be dismissed as a failure of individual farmers. It is, rather, a failure of systems — of planning, timing, and coherent strategy. The absence of timely intervention and consistent policy execution has left Northern farmers dangerously exposed. Subsidies are promised but rarely delivered in full, and when they are, they often arrive too late to make any meaningful difference.
The perennial delay in the distribution of fertilisers is emblematic of this dysfunction. Season after season, consignments arrive after the rains have already begun, leaving farmers no choice but to plant under suboptimal conditions. The resulting poor yields are then unfairly blamed on the farmers themselves, when in truth, they are victims of chronic administrative inertia.
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To change this trajectory, Northern state governments must act with foresight and urgency. Planning for the next planting season should not begin when the rains fall; it should begin now. Fertilisers must be procured early, stored securely, and distributed well in advance of the planting season. This single measure could dramatically enhance yields and save the public purse from avoidable losses.
Moreover, early procurement allows governments to negotiate better prices, avoiding the inflated costs that accompany last-minute, emergency purchases. It also minimises the chances of hoarding and profiteering by unscrupulous middlemen who exploit scarcity for personal gain. Transparency in the supply chain must therefore be non-negotiable.
Beyond procurement, states with the capacity should seize the opportunity to establish fertiliser blending and compounding plants. This is not merely an industrial initiative; it is a strategic investment in regional self-sufficiency. Local production will ensure a steady supply of fertilisers, reduce dependence on distant suppliers, and provide much-needed jobs for Northern youths.
Such plants could also serve as catalysts for broader rural industrialisation, creating value chains that link production, processing, and distribution. In today’s volatile global market, the ability to produce critical inputs locally is an essential shield against external shocks. The North cannot continue to rely on uncertain imports or erratic supply lines.
But fertilisers alone will not solve the problem. Farmers are currently grappling with another, equally devastating challenge: post-harvest losses and the collapse of grain prices. After months of labour, many are forced to sell their produce at throwaway prices simply to meet urgent financial obligations. This recurring tragedy not only impoverishes farmers but also weakens the rural economy as a whole.
This is where Northern state governments must step in decisively. They must establish structured grain-purchasing mechanisms to buy directly from farmers at fair, guaranteed prices. Such a policy would stabilise markets, protect rural incomes, and build vital food reserves for the future. It is an investment in both food security and social stability.
To make this sustainable, governments should institutionalise these measures through the creation of State Grains Boards. These Boards must be professional, transparent, and insulated from political interference. Their mandate should include strategic grain purchasing, scientific storage, and responsible release during periods of scarcity.
A well-managed Grains Board would perform many of the stabilising roles once undertaken by the old marketing boards — but with modern governance structures, digital monitoring, and accountability mechanisms. It would protect farmers from exploitation by traders who currently dictate prices at will, often to the detriment of both producer and consumer.
The Boards would also serve as a reliable price floor during bumper harvests, ensuring that farmers receive fair compensation for their labour. During lean periods, their stored grains could be released to moderate prices and avert artificial scarcity. This would protect both ends of the market and promote national food stability.
In extending this vision beyond grains, Northern state governments would do well to also consider structured support for root and tuber crops such as cassava, yams, and both sweet and Irish potatoes — all of which are widely cultivated across the region.
Just as Grain Boards would stabilise cereal markets, Root and Tuber Development Boards could perform a similar role for these vital crops. They would oversee pricing, promote processing industries, reduce post-harvest losses, and strengthen value chains that create rural jobs and boost food security.
By diversifying their focus in this manner, the Northern states would not only secure the nation’s grain reserves but also anchor a broader, more resilient agricultural economy capable of withstanding market shocks and climatic disruptions.
The absence of such structures is one of the principal reasons Northern farmers remain trapped in a cycle of uncertainty and vulnerability. With government acting as a credible off-taker, confidence would return to the sector. Farmers would plan better, invest more, and produce with assurance that their efforts will not end in ruin.
The combined effect of early fertiliser procurement, local production, and structured grain and tuber purchasing could completely transform Northern agriculture. It would usher in a new era of predictability, sustainability, and prosperity. These reforms, if pursued with integrity and consistency, would redefine the region’s economic future.
However, for all these measures to succeed, transparency and accountability must be sacrosanct. Past experiences are replete with examples of fertilisers being diverted to cronies or grains being mismanaged for political gain. Such corrosive practices must never again be allowed to undermine public trust. Every transaction, from procurement to distribution, must be subject to open scrutiny.
Northern Nigeria remains the cornerstone of the nation’s food security. Its fields feed not only the region but other parts of the country and some West African Countries. Protecting this vital agricultural base is therefore not merely a regional responsibility but a national imperative. Without a strong, confident, and prosperous North, Nigeria cannot realistically sustain itself.
The time for hesitation has passed. The era of half-measures and fragmented reforms must give way to bold, comprehensive action. The Northern states must now rise to the challenge — to plan early, produce locally, buy wisely, and manage transparently. Only then will the farmer regain hope, the region restore its strength, and the nation secure its future.
