The West Africa Action Network on Small arms (WAANSA) has called for stronger collaboration with the All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN) to address the misuse of fertilisers, growing border insecurity and their implications for agricultural productivity and food security.
WAANSA made the call during a visit to the leadership of AFAN, where it sought a coordinated approach to tackling the dual-use of fertilisers and security challenges associated with the abuse of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) free movement protocol.
The association expressed concern that certain nitrogen-based fertiliser compounds, particularly ammonium nitrate, could be misused for purposes beyond agriculture, potentially creating security risks if improperly handled or diverted.
It also raised concerns about the alleged abuse of ECOWAS free movement arrangements, warning that uncontrolled cross-border activities and insecurity could worsen farmer-herder conflicts, banditry and other threats to rural communities.
According to WAANSA, these challenges have forced many farmers away from their farmlands, disrupted agricultural activities and contributed to declining local food production and worsening food insecurity.
The association stressed that addressing the challenges requires collective action involving farmers, security agencies, government institutions and other relevant stakeholders across Nigeria and the West African region.
It noted that Nigeria has more than 42 million agricultural households, with smallholder farmers playing a major role in national food production, making their protection and participation essential to achieving food security.
WAANSA disclosed plans to begin nationwide stakeholder engagements, starting with Kano State in the North-West, to mobilise farmers and other stakeholders against fertiliser misuse and border insecurity.
The association further announced plans to write to President Bola Tinubu, the National Security Adviser, Defence Headquarters and the National Assembly, seeking the declaration of an annual National Farming Week.
According to WAANSA, the proposed initiative would promote agricultural activities, encourage youth participation, create economic opportunities and strengthen farming as a sustainable, non-kinetic strategy for addressing insecurity.
It added that its doors remained open to receiving farmers’ complaints and challenges for onward presentation to relevant government authorities for appropriate intervention.
Responding to WAANSA’s concerns, the National President of the All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), Hon. Muhammad Magaji Gettado, welcomed the initiative and described the proposed collaboration as a timely and strategic intervention in the country’s agricultural and security challenges.
Gettado commended WAANSA for recognising the connection between farmers’ safety, responsible fertiliser management, border security and national food security.
He said Nigeria could not achieve sustainable food security while farmers continued to face threats to their lives, farmlands, agricultural inputs and investments.
According to him, protecting farmers is not merely an agricultural responsibility but a national security priority that requires the commitment of governments, security institutions, agricultural associations and communities.
“We cannot talk about food security when farmers are afraid to go to their farms. We cannot build a strong economy when those who produce our food are constantly exposed to insecurity. Protecting farmers is protecting Nigeria,” Gettado said.
The AFAN president stressed the need for responsible fertiliser management, effective border surveillance and stronger cooperation among agricultural stakeholders to prevent the diversion and misuse of agricultural inputs.
He also supported WAANSA’s proposed nationwide engagements, noting that farmers’ participation in security discussions would help government agencies understand the realities confronting rural communities and develop practical solutions.
On the proposed National Farming Week, Gettado described the initiative as a welcome opportunity to celebrate farmers, promote agricultural investment, encourage young Nigerians to embrace farming and draw national attention to the importance of agriculture.
He maintained that agriculture could serve as a powerful instrument for reducing unemployment, tackling rural poverty, engaging vulnerable youths and strengthening peace across communities.
“Agriculture is more than food production; it is a tool for economic empowerment, employment generation, peace and national development. When we empower farmers and engage our youths productively, we reduce the conditions that make insecurity thrive,” he added.
Gettado assured WAANSA of AFAN’s readiness to work with relevant stakeholders in advancing policies and practical measures that would protect farmers, improve agricultural productivity and strengthen food security.
He called for sustained collaboration rather than isolated interventions, emphasising that the challenges confronting the agricultural sector require a united front.
The proposed partnership between WAANSA and AFAN is expected to strengthen farmers’ advocacy, promote responsible agricultural input management and encourage coordinated efforts towards safer farming communities and improved food production across Nigeria.
