National Wire About Nigerians, Nigerian Business and Other Stories
A civil society group, Advocates for Sustainable and Inclusive Community Development (ASICD), recently held a one-day workshop in Osogbo on the Drafting and Validation of Rural Agricultural Women’s Perspective on the Osun State Climate Action Plan. Participants included representatives of women farmers, government agencies, academia, and civil society organizations.
One of the participants, Salami Bamidele Olubukola, a mechanised farmer, shared her experience with DAYO EMMANUEL, highlighting how climate change, finance, labour shortages, and herdsmen are affecting her farming operations. She also discussed the coping strategies she’s adopted and called on the government to pay attention to the plight of female farmers who work tirelessly to feed the nation.
Excerpts:
When did you start farming?
I started farming over 30 years ago. Back then, I was a peasant farmer. But over the years, I’ve grown into a mechanised farmer.
Where is your farm located?
My farm is here in Osun State. I cultivate rice, yam, maize, and cassava.
What major challenges have you faced in your farming journey?
There are many. Top among them are finance, labour shortages, and climate change—which is the most devastating. For instance, last year I lost millions of Naira due to crop failure. I planted 30 acres of rice and harvested only 300 kilograms (six bags). I also planted 20 acres of maize and got just 800 kilograms. The crops failed mainly because of inadequate rainfall.
What are you doing to prevent such losses in the future?
I’ve started considering irrigation. If I can install boreholes and set up a proper irrigation system, such losses could be avoided. But the major issue now is finance. I’ve applied for a loan to fund the installation, but it hasn’t come through yet.
You also mentioned labour as a challenge. How are you addressing that?
Yes, labour is another big issue. Casual labour is expensive and unreliable. This year, I’m switching to annual labourers—people who can stay on the farm and monitor it continuously. That way, there’s a level of consistency and accountability.
What about the herdsmen menace you mentioned?
That’s a serious problem too. Last year, I planted five acres of early maize, and herdsmen’s cattle destroyed the entire farm. Fortunately, I caught them in the act and reported to the Amotekun Corps. They intervened and made the herders pay for the damages, although the compensation didn’t match what I lost.
How were you able to catch them?
I was on my way to the farm and noticed cattle near it, like 75metres. I parked, took a back route, and recorded a video of the grazing cattle. The herder had left them there unattended. I traced them to their camp and later involved Amotekun. They were very helpful and arrested the culprits.
Has that incident deterred further encroachment?
Maybe temporarily, but they often seek revenge. That’s why I plan to hire vigilantes to secure the farm day and night.
You also mentioned financing as a key challenge. How accessible are loans to farmers like you?
It’s not easy. I used to access loans from LAPO through their agricultural scheme, which offers monthly repayment options. But if you don’t have a steady income, repayment becomes difficult. Recently, another creditor offered me a loan with a one-year moratorium, which is much better.
As a mechanised farmer, do you use improved seedlings?
No, I don’t. I’ve seen mixed results from other farmers. The improved seeds can’t be replanted—you have to keep buying them every season. While they offer higher yields, they create dependency on seed companies. That’s different from our traditional seeds, which can be replanted after harvest.
