Global Good Agricultural Practices (G.A.P) Registered trainer and Food Safety Standards Lead Auditor, Talabi Olufolajimi, has emphasized the link between rural populations and food security in Nigeria, describing it as “undeniable.”
Olufolajimi explained that as rural areas struggle with challenges such as inadequate wages, poor living conditions, and a lack of security, the younger generation is increasingly abandoning farming in search of better opportunities elsewhere.
This shift has resulted in an aging workforce in the agricultural sector, which poses a serious threat to national food production in the long term.
Olufolajimi pointed out that many of the individuals who remain in rural areas are older, closer to the upper end of life expectancy.
This demographic trend, he said, is already having an impact on food supply and is expected to worsen in the years ahead.
One of the reasons for this shift away from farming, according to Olufolajimi, is the undervaluation of agricultural labor.
The sector is plagued by low wages, a lack of job security, inadequate welfare packages, and weak labor rights.
These challenges have led to a workforce that is increasingly aging, with fewer young people willing to take up farming as a profession.
Historically, labor for farming in Nigeria has come from the northern parts of the country and neighboring nations.
However, Olufolajimi noted that due to the low wages and the devaluation of the Naira, these migrant workers no longer find it feasible to come to Nigeria for farm work.
This, he explained, has further contributed to the labor shortage faced by farmers.
In addition to these challenges, farmers and agribusinesses are struggling with rising production costs, shrinking profit margins, and a decline in consumer purchasing power.
Olufolajimi observed that these economic pressures make it difficult for agricultural employers to offer competitive wages, further discouraging young people from entering the sector.
To address this issue, Olufolajimi has called for urgent reforms.
He argued that improving working conditions and offering fair compensation, including a living wage, are essential to attract younger people back into agriculture.
“There is no more effective strategy to revitalize youth participation in agriculture,” he said, stressing the need for these changes to secure the future of Nigeria’s food production.
Olufolajimi also highlighted potential opportunities within the agricultural sector.
He pointed to the growing demand for specialized services in areas such as horticulture, certification, standards compliance, and documentation.
These services, he explained, are crucial for accessing premium local and international markets, providing a niche for graduates of agricultural programs to explore.
