At a time like this, smallholder farmers are faced with unprecedented climate change affecting their livelihood and wellbeing and putting them in high risk. There is a need to cushion the effects both on the short and long run to ensure continuous production of food for the increasing population. Thus, providing insurance products that help to mitigate these risks would go a long way to incentivize smallholder farmers to remain in business.

There is a need for the government to de-risk the agricultural sector

However, when the risks of an event are likely to occur, it becomes an unattractive venture for insurance companies. This shows that there is a need for the government to de-risk the agricultural sector. An urgent attention to avoid total collapse of the food system is therefore required. Governments should provide support in the form of incentives for agricultural insurance companies, especially in developing countries. In reality, there might not be an end soon to the support the government would provide to the agricultural sector. This is due to its many risks that cannot be totally mitigated and its importance in the sovereignty of a nation. As I maintained: those who control food, control the future. It is important that countries develop a strong policy and political will to implement programmes that will help to reduce risks that can have a great impact on food production. This is a duty call for all of us to be totally committed to achieving this noble cause, now.

Yours-in-service

Babatunde

Farm visit of ginger farm at Kafanchan, Kaduna State