1 month ago
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Farmers have again advocated the reintroduction of mobile phones and e-wallet systems as vital tools to enhance food production and improve agricultural efficiency.
The farmers said that these technologies have the potential to revolutionise the farming sector, offering numerous benefits that can address longstanding challenges plaguing the country’s food security and industry.
They further noted that while mobile phones have proven to be invaluable in agriculture, providing farmers with access to critical information, e-wallet systems allow smallholder farmers to obtain farm input subsidies from the government through certified agro-dealers in their local communities.
This real-time information helps farmers make informed decisions, plan their activities more effectively, and optimise their crop yields. For instance, accurate weather updates can aid in planning irrigation schedules and preventing crop damage from unexpected weather events.
Recall that mobile phones and e-wallets for farmers were parts of the agricultural transformation agenda of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development under Goodluck Jonathan’s administration to expand farmers’ access to markets, improve their access to savings, loans and help them adapt to climate change dynamics that affect them and their livelihoods.
In 2013, the former Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr Akinwumi Adesina, said agriculture was more knowledge-intensive and that the government would modernise the sector, get younger (graduate) entrepreneurs into the sector, and arm them with modern information systems.
In a statement titled, ‘N60 billion to be spent on cell phones for farmers not true,’ Adesina said, “Nigeria has 110 million cellphones, the largest in Africa. But there is a huge divide: The bulk of the phones are in urban areas. The rural areas are heavily excluded. For agriculture, which employs 70 percent of the population that means the farmers are excluded and marginalised.
“In today’s world, the most powerful tool is a mobile phone. As Minister of Agriculture, I want the entire rural space of Nigeria, and farmers, to be included, not excluded, from the advantages of the mobile phone revolution.”
However, this policy couldn’t fly due to alleged corruption, but farmers said that its intention was good, insisting that the reintroduction of the policy would help to boost the food production in the country by offering the farmers access to subsidised inputs and direct access to inputs like fertilisers.
Speaking exclusively with PUNCH Healthwise in different interviews, they said that mobile phones enable farmers to connect with agricultural experts and access educational resources, fostering better farming practices and innovation.
They said that e-wallet systems further amplify these benefits by streamlining financial transactions and enhancing access to subsidies and credit, stressing that farmers often face challenges in accessing traditional banking services, which can hinder their ability to purchase essential inputs like seeds, fertilisers and equipment.
A Benue-based medium-scale farmer, who cultivates, potatoes, yam, cassava, and vegetables among others, Martins Garba said that e-wallets provide a convenient and secure means for transactions, allowing farmers to receive payments, manage finances, and access microloans without the need for a physical bank branch.
Garba, who is also an agro expert, said that the financial inclusion was crucial for enabling farmers to invest in their operations and scale up production, noting that the reintroduction of these technologies could significantly boost food production by increasing efficiency and reducing operational costs.
He said, “For instance, digital payments can minimise delays and ensure timely procurement of inputs, while mobile platforms can facilitate better market access and fair pricing for farmers’ produce.
“Integrating mobile phones and e-wallet systems into farming practices represents a forward-looking approach to overcoming barriers in agriculture, especially eliminating the middlemen and having direct access to the inputs.
“By leveraging these technologies, farmers can enhance productivity, achieve greater financial stability, and contribute to a more resilient and efficient food production system. Farmers can now sell their products on the farm without transportation costs.”
More so, the National President of the All Farmers Association of Nigeria, Ibrahim Kabir, “Yes, we want to return to the old system where interventions led to the allocation of subsidised farm inputs, allowing farmers to obtain these resources at reduced prices and boost their businesses.
Kabir said there were many farmers in the country and while government interventions may seem like a drop in the ocean, they should still aim to make a significant impact on the entire agricultural system.
He said, “The introduction of mobile phones and e-wallets for farmers was a positive step, but it was hampered by significant price inflation. We cannot afford to purchase fertilisers for the entire country at a lower rate only to have an intervention intended to make these inputs more affordable become more expensive instead.
“Furthermore, any actions we take must be approached holistically. Technological systems tailored to farmers can indeed boost food production and are beneficial. While support is necessary, no serious farmer will rely solely on such support while waiting with arms folded.
“The goal of these policies should be to ensure that subsidised inputs are available and affordable, ultimately making food more accessible. What we need is the ability to purchase essential inputs at reasonable prices.
“If subsidies are to be provided, they must be equitable, benefiting all farmers equally rather than favoring individuals based on political affiliation.
“Our aim is to achieve interventions that address the comprehensive needs of farmers, rather than those that only benefit a select few. From my experience, effective interventions should address all aspects affecting farmers and not just target a small group.”
He questioned what would happen to farmers who are outside the intervention areas if they are not included in the support efforts, expressing concern about the fairness and effectiveness of interventions if they do not account for the needs of all farmers, regardless of their location.
Kabir continued: “What about livestock farmers who are outside the region targeted by the intervention? What will they do? Effective interventions should not create disparities where one region benefits while others are neglected. The approach needs to be all-encompassing and equitable.
“To address the entire system effectively, interventions must be comprehensive and fair, ensuring that all farmers, regardless of their location or type of farming, receive the support they need.
“This approach will not only resolve the issue of input access for farmers but also contribute to overall food sufficiency. When farmers are well-supported and food production is robust, it will positively impact the prosperity of both the country and its agricultural sector.
“We saw during that period when fertilisers were available for around N5,500, and we want to see that system return. Selling fertilisers at N25,000 or N40,000 makes them unaffordable for many farmers.
“Farmers who purchase from the market will continue to face high prices, regardless of any intervention. The core issue goes beyond just temporary measures. We need to ensure that subsidies are effective and that inputs remain readily affordable for all farmers.”
