1 min
In recent times, no week passes without a farmer lamenting the situation in the country. The cost of inputs higher, costs of labour unbearable, cost of transport, issues of pests etc. These are not new but the issues are becoming more frequent. In general, the agricultural sector is plagued by various risks; from pest infestation, to destruction by herders, to unfavourable rainfall, to unstable market forces amongst many other risks that make the sector more volatile and unpredictable. These risks come with a huge cost, and even with mitigation measures, they are not fully controlled. When risks happen, there is a certain loss that cannot be recovered --Time – and it creates a gap in the supply chain, which could have a long term impact.
Invariably, managing agricultural risks should not be the work of the farmers alone, especially risks caused by institutional or political influence. Such risk should be borne or managed by the government too, to help the farmers to recover faster and bounce back to business. For instance, in the case when market prices go far below production cost, it is the work of the government to help manage this type of risk to avoid loss of investment or capital of the farmers. This could be through provision of aids to the farmers or buying off produce at a fair price for them to remain in business.
However, the saddest truth being confronted is that there is little or no existing structure in most developing countries to manage such a risk. We don't have up-to-date data of the number of farmers, the cost of producing one hectare of crops, the estimated yield, market information amongst others that can be used to monitor the market and provide such support. This foundational problem will create more instability and distortion to the food system and create more gaps between food needed and food produced. Therefore, achieving food security starts from solving the foundational problem of data in the sector.
The reality of every farmer in every developing country is that no one cares about their ordeal; there is no real support to help them solve their existing challenges. And this mindset has created a boundary to how much they want to grow or try new things. When farmers have fears of trying new things, then growth becomes inhibited. Therefore, we need to change this mindset by creating an environment that breeds trust and assurance in the government and other key stakeholders. Also, we need to invest in building a reliable information system through a comprehensive data collection system. We cannot grow the agricultural sector by mistake or by fate, it requires a concrete plan and conscious efforts to make it work. When the agricultural sector works, the economy works and shared prosperity amongst farmers becomes a norm.
Yours-in-Service
Babatunde
However, the saddest truth being confronted is that there is little or no existing structure in most developing countries to manage such a risk. We don't have up-to-date data of the number of farmers, the cost of producing one hectare of crops, the estimated yield, market information amongst others that can be used to monitor the market and provide such support. This foundational problem will create more instability and distortion to the food system and create more gaps between food needed and food produced. Therefore, achieving food security starts from solving the foundational problem of data in the sector.
The reality of every farmer in every developing country is that no one cares about their ordeal; there is no real support to help them solve their existing challenges. And this mindset has created a boundary to how much they want to grow or try new things. When farmers have fears of trying new things, then growth becomes inhibited. Therefore, we need to change this mindset by creating an environment that breeds trust and assurance in the government and other key stakeholders. Also, we need to invest in building a reliable information system through a comprehensive data collection system. We cannot grow the agricultural sector by mistake or by fate, it requires a concrete plan and conscious efforts to make it work. When the agricultural sector works, the economy works and shared prosperity amongst farmers becomes a norm.
Yours-in-Service
Babatunde
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