For farming to dey successful, farmers dey face many challenges wey dey make the job tough. From access to proper tools to dealing with bad market prices, many things fit make farming harder than e suppose be. Here, we go break down the 5 major problems wey farmers for Nigeria and around the world dey face.
1. Poor Access to Finance
One of the biggest wahala wey farmers dey face na how to get money (loan) to grow their business. Banks no too gree give farmers loan because dem see farming as risky business. Without proper funding, farmers no fit buy the right equipment or invest in modern farming techniques wey go help dem improve their yield.
Solution: Farmers fit join cooperatives like Npower Farmers to access loans and financial support for farming projects. We go also encourage farmers to look into government grants and agricultural schemes like the CBN Anchor Borrowers’ Programme.
2. Pests and Diseases
Farmers dey suffer from pests and crop diseases wey fit destroy their farms. Imagine say you don spend plenty time to plant and then pests like locusts or diseases like blight come spoil everything. This issue dey cost farmers plenty money as dem dey lose their crops.
Solution: Farmers fit use organic pesticides or adopt integrated pest management (IPM) wey go help reduce the damage wey pests dey cause. We also encourage proper training on how to handle crop diseases. You fit read more on how to deal with pest problems for our previous post here.
3. Poor Infrastructure
Infrastructure na another big problem wey farmers dey face. Bad roads fit make am hard for farmers to transport their farm produce to market. This matter dey affect farmers’ ability to sell their crops on time, and sometimes the crops go spoil before e reach market.
Solution: Governments need to invest more in rural infrastructure development. Farmers fit join forces to create cooperative transport systems wey go help dem carry their goods to market faster. Also, modern storage facilities go help farmers preserve their crops.
4. Climate Change and Unpredictable Weather
Weather na something wey farmers no fit control, but na one of the biggest things wey affect farming. Too much rain or no rain at all fit cause droughts or floods, wey go spoil the crops. The changes wey climate change dey bring dey make farming even harder, especially for those wey no get proper irrigation systems.
Solution: Farmers need to adopt climate-smart agricultural practices wey go help dem adjust to the unpredictable weather. Investing in irrigation systems and learning more about water conservation go also help.
5. Market Instability and Low Prices
Farmers dey suffer when the price for farm produce no dey stable. Sometimes, after all the hard work, the market price go fall, and farmers no go fit sell their crops at a good price. This wahala dey cause many farmers to lose money.
Solution: Farmers fit start value addition processes like processing their crops before selling, to fetch better prices. Joining a cooperative society like Npower Farmers go also help negotiate better market prices. You fit find more on how to improve your farm’s profitability here.
Farmers dey work hard, but with proper knowledge and support, dem fit overcome these challenges. If you dey face any of these issues, join our WhatsApp Channel for updates on how to overcome farm challenges, and follow us on Facebook for more helpful tips.
For more farming tips and guides, visit www.npowerfarmers.ng and stay connected.