The National President of the All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), Dr. Farouk Rabiu Mudi, has called on the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, to remain steadfast in the discharge of his legislative responsibilities despite what he described as distractions from “sponsored columnists and false analysts.”
In a statement issued in Abuja by AFAN’s National Publicity Secretary, Ibrahim Garba, Dr. Mudi emphasized the need for members of the National Assembly to place agriculture and agribusiness at the centre of legislative priorities. He made the remarks following the recent conferment of the “Legislative Farmers Father” award on Kalu during AFAN’s General Assembly of the Farmers Congress held in the Federal Capital Territory.
Dr. Mudi urged the Deputy Speaker to confront the nation’s food security challenges with renewed determination, noting that commodity prices have fluctuated sharply due to climate change and shifting market forces of demand and supply. He observed that rising costs of farm inputs have widened gaps across the agricultural value chain, placing additional strain on farmers nationwide.
According to him, AFAN remains open to dialogue with key stakeholders in order to ease pressure on the federal government. He said the association is prepared to leverage its nationwide membership network to disseminate timely and accurate information on policy changes affecting the agricultural sector.
The AFAN president also appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to take more decisive measures in support of farmers, particularly through subsidies for farm inputs, tractors, and equipment. He lamented that post-harvest losses reached an estimated 50 million metric tons in the last farming season, with losses reportedly climbing as high as 85 percent in some segments of the value chain.
Dr. Mudi warned that import waivers and the influx of cheaper foreign produce often trigger price drops that discourage fresh investments and undermine rural development. While acknowledging the federal government’s significant budgetary allocations to agriculture, livestock, and poultry in the new fiscal cycle, he stressed that sustained policy clarity and protection for local producers are essential for long-term growth.
He further decried the burden of multiple tariffs imposed by state and local authorities on haulage, saying such charges, combined with currency volatility and pricing inconsistencies, have created uncertainty that discourages agricultural investment.
Despite the challenges, Dr. Mudi described Kalu’s recognition as “Legislative Farmers Father” as a reflection of his vision, resilience, and courage. He linked the honour to the Deputy Speaker’s role in advancing critical legislation, including recent electoral reforms, which he said demonstrated leadership during periods of national uncertainty.
Dr. Mudi concluded by encouraging AFAN members to take advantage of the Deputy Speaker’s office as a platform for presenting transformative ideas capable of repositioning agriculture beyond rhetoric and boardroom politics. He expressed confidence that strengthened collaboration between AFAN and the National Assembly could elevate agriculture to become Nigeria’s leading revenue earner after oil and gas under the current administration.
AFAN President Urges Benjamin Kalu to Stay Focused on Legislative Mandate
