Benin City, Edo State – In a significant development for agricultural stakeholders in Edo State, the All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN) has inaugurated a new 14-member executive committee, with Joel Usiagu emerging as chairman. The election, held on Monday in Benin City, was underscored by urgent calls for unity, sacrifice, and a renewed commitment to collective progress within the farming community. These appeals came from high-ranking national officials, reflecting broader efforts to consolidate AFAN’s structure nationwide and enhance its advocacy capabilities at a critical juncture for Nigeria’s food security.

The electoral exercise culminated in Usiagu’s swearing-in by Kabiru Danbaba, the Assistant National Secretary of AFAN, following a rigorous selection process. His ascension to the leadership position marks a pivotal moment, as the new chairman has immediately pledged to address long-standing issues of factionalism and ensure the equitable distribution of government-backed interventions to genuine farmers at the grassroots level. This new leadership is tasked with steering the association in Edo State for the next three years, a period likely to be defined by both significant challenges and opportunities for agricultural growth.

A National Call for Cohesion and Sacrifice

The proceedings in Benin City were notably prefaced by a strong admonition from Asuquo Asuquo, the Deputy National President (Operations) of the All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN). Asuquo cautioned members against what he termed "unhealthy rivalry" and passionately urged farmers to embrace unity as the cornerstone for any meaningful collective progress. His address resonated with the prevailing sentiment that internal divisions have historically hampered the association’s effectiveness and its ability to advocate for its members’ interests with a unified voice.

"There is no need to struggle for positions. We are all farmers. Leadership is about sacrifice so that everyone can benefit. No need for division. Wherever you are, government will locate you," Asuquo stressed, emphasizing that true leadership within the association should be driven by a selfless commitment to the welfare of all members, rather than personal ambition or power struggles. This philosophy, he articulated, is central to AFAN’s renewed national agenda, which seeks to foster a more inclusive and cooperative environment across all its state chapters.

Asuquo further highlighted that AFAN has been actively engaged in a nationwide initiative to harmonise its structures. This strategic move aims to consolidate various splinter groups and ensure a cohesive operational framework that can effectively represent the diverse interests of Nigerian farmers. A significant achievement in this regard, he noted, is the integration of the Smallholder Women Farmers Organisation of Nigeria (SWOFON) into AFAN’s harmonised structure. This inclusion is particularly crucial as women constitute a substantial portion of the agricultural workforce in Nigeria, often facing unique challenges regarding access to land, credit, and extension services. Their structured participation within AFAN is expected to bring a more comprehensive perspective to policy advocacy and resource allocation. The integration of SWOFON signifies a deliberate effort towards gender equity and a more representative leadership, ensuring that the voices of often marginalized smallholder women farmers are amplified within the national discourse.

The Mandate of the New Edo AFAN Executive

Upon his inauguration, Joel Usiagu outlined an ambitious agenda for the Edo State chapter of AFAN, prioritizing immediate and long-term objectives aimed at revitalizing the agricultural sector in the state. His central pledge revolves around unifying the association, particularly in light of recent national-level divisions that have occasionally fragmented farmer groups. "We have to unite all the factions of the farmer family. We must ensure that we have one national body, one state structure, and that this unity runs from the grassroots to the top," Usiagu affirmed, acknowledging the imperative of presenting a solid, unified front to both governmental bodies and other stakeholders.

This focus on unity is not merely symbolic. Historical precedent within Nigeria’s agricultural sector demonstrates that fragmented farmer associations often struggle to exert significant influence on policy formulation, secure adequate government funding, or effectively distribute aid. A unified structure, conversely, allows for more robust advocacy, clearer communication channels, and greater accountability in the implementation of agricultural programmes. The internal cohesion sought by Usiagu is thus a foundational element for achieving broader strategic goals.

Beyond unification, Usiagu underscored a commitment to transparency and equitable resource distribution. He directly addressed concerns about previous inefficiencies and corruption in the allocation of agricultural support, a persistent issue across various government interventions in Nigeria. He vowed to move away from what he critically described as the "swallow and chop approach," where resources meant for the wider farming community are often monopolized by a few individuals or politically connected entities. "What we will be doing now is to ensure that whatever comes from the state or national level is shared down to the grassroots, so that the real farmers benefit," he stated, signalling a clear intent to institute a more transparent and inclusive system for disbursing aid, inputs, and other forms of support. This pledge is particularly vital in a country where agricultural subsidies and interventions, though well-intentioned, frequently fail to reach the most deserving smallholder farmers due to systemic leakages and mismanagement.

Tackling the Scourge of Insecurity in Farming

One of the most pressing challenges confronting Nigerian farmers, including those in Edo State, is pervasive insecurity. This encompasses a spectrum of threats, from crop theft and vandalism to outright attacks on rural communities, kidnapping for ransom, and the devastating impact of herder-farmer clashes. These security challenges not only endanger lives and livelihoods but also significantly depress agricultural output, deter investment, and exacerbate food insecurity. Farmers often abandon their fields due to fear, leading to reduced cultivation and market supply.

Usiagu acknowledged the severe impact of insecurity on farming activities and outlined a pragmatic approach, recognizing the association’s limitations as a non-law enforcement entity. "We are not a law enforcement agency, but we can write petitions, follow them up, and engage relevant authorities," he explained. This strategy involves active advocacy, systematic documentation of incidents, and persistent engagement with security agencies and government officials to ensure that farmers’ concerns are heard and acted upon. This collaborative model is crucial, as farmer associations, while not armed, possess invaluable grassroots intelligence and the collective voice needed to pressure authorities into effective action.

The Imperative of Cluster Farming and Collaborative Vigilance

In a strategic move to address both insecurity and inefficiency, Usiagu advocated for the widespread adoption of cluster farming. This model encourages farmers to consolidate their operations into larger, contiguous blocks of land, rather than farming in isolated, scattered plots. "Instead of farming in isolation, farmers should come together, farm in clusters and organise joint vigilance. That way, they can protect themselves better and improve productivity," he argued.

Cluster farming offers multiple benefits. From a security perspective, it allows for enhanced collective security measures, such as joint vigilance groups and community-based surveillance, making it more difficult for criminals to operate undetected. The increased visibility and shared responsibility reduce the vulnerability of individual farmers. Economically, cluster farming can lead to improved productivity through economies of scale. Farmers can share resources such as machinery, irrigation facilities, and extension services more efficiently. It also facilitates easier access to markets, better negotiation power with buyers, and simplified distribution of government interventions. Moreover, it can foster knowledge sharing and the adoption of best agricultural practices among members, leading to higher yields and better quality produce. This approach aligns with modern agricultural practices that emphasize collaboration and resource optimization, potentially transforming smallholder farming into more commercially viable ventures.

Navigating Political Influence in Agricultural Support

A recurring challenge in the distribution of agricultural support in Nigeria is political interference. This often manifests as programmes being hijacked by non-farmers, party loyalists, or influential individuals, thereby diverting resources from their intended beneficiaries. Usiagu addressed this sensitive issue with a pragmatic acknowledgment. "You cannot completely separate politics from government interventions, but whatever comes to AFAN, we will ensure that it gets to the farmers who truly deserve it," he asserted.

This statement reflects an understanding of the political realities in Nigeria while simultaneously affirming a commitment to accountability and integrity within AFAN’s operations. It suggests that while political considerations may influence the initial allocation of funds or programmes at higher levels, the Edo AFAN executive intends to implement robust internal mechanisms to vet beneficiaries and ensure that resources genuinely reach active farmers. This internal control is critical for building trust among members and demonstrating AFAN’s capacity to act as a credible and transparent conduit for agricultural development initiatives. The success of this pledge will largely depend on the executive’s ability to resist external pressures and maintain a firm stance on fairness and equity in distribution.

The Broader Vision for Edo Agriculture

Edo State, located in Nigeria’s South-South geopolitical zone, possesses significant agricultural potential, with fertile land suitable for various crops, including cassava, yam, rice, maize, oil palm, and rubber. The state’s agricultural sector contributes substantially to its economy and provides employment for a large segment of its population. However, like many other Nigerian states, it grapples with challenges such as inadequate infrastructure, limited access to modern farming technologies, insufficient financing, and the effects of climate change.

The new AFAN leadership in Edo State, under Joel Usiagu, has an opportunity to address these systemic issues. By focusing on unity, equitable resource distribution, and innovative security solutions like cluster farming, the association can play a crucial role in enhancing productivity, ensuring food security, and improving the livelihoods of thousands of farmers in the state. Their efforts could also serve as a model for other state chapters of AFAN, contributing to a stronger, more effective national agricultural framework. The emphasis on grassroots empowerment and genuine farmer participation is a step towards building a resilient and sustainable agricultural sector capable of meeting the demands of a growing population and contributing significantly to national economic diversification.

Composition of the New Edo AFAN Executive

The new executive committee, sworn in to lead the All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN) in Edo State for the next three years, comprises a diverse group of individuals poised to implement the association’s strategic agenda. The full list of elected members is as follows:

• Chairman: Joel Usiagu
• Deputy Chairman: Tony Alius
• Vice Chairman, Edo South: Dr. Ezekiel Oseimwan
• Vice Chairman, Edo North: Osas Ojeikere
• Secretary: Valentine Uwaka
• Organising Secretary: Abel Isiwe
• Financial Secretary: Benjamin Okpere
• Assistant Financial Secretary: Oghogho Obaseki
• Youth Leader: Jude Adoghe
• Publicity Secretary: Lugard Michael
• Legal Adviser: Ilofuan Igbuan
• Auditor: Anogie Calustus
• Ex-Officio I: Edet Ibanga
• Ex-Officio II: Alhaji Habibu

This team, with its blend of experience and representation across different geographical zones and functions, is expected to drive the association’s renewed mandate for unity, transparency, and sustainable agricultural development in Edo State. Their collective efforts will be crucial in navigating the complex challenges facing farmers and ensuring that the agricultural sector realizes its full potential in contributing to the state’s economic prosperity and the nation’s food security objectives. The successful implementation of their pledges will not only benefit individual farmers but also bolster the overall resilience and productivity of Edo State’s vital agricultural landscape.