Ibadan: The Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, has raised concerns over the insufficient earnings of farmers in Nigeria’s South-West region, attributing it primarily to several challenges plaguing the agricultural sector. During a recent visit by executives and members of the South-West Commodity Farmers Organisation (SWCFO) to his palace, Ladoja emphasized the financial struggles faced by local farmers.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the SWCFO used the occasion to honor Ladoja by conferring the title of grand patron upon him, which he accepted. The Olubadan pinpointed high input costs, unresolved farmers/herders conflicts, and inadequate enforcement of open grazing laws as significant factors hindering farmers’ ability to profit from agriculture. He mentioned that the revenue from a truckload of cassava has drastically reduced from N400,000-N500,000 two years ago to less than N100,000 currently, exacerbating the financial strain on farmers.
Oba Ladoja assured the farmers of his commitment to advocate for their concerns to President Bola Tinubu and other influential figures, expressing hope for an improved situation by the 2027 harvest season. He criticized the lack of enforcement of anti-open grazing laws, which he believes has intensified conflicts between farmers and herders. Ladoja stressed the importance of implementing these laws at the local government level to protect farmers’ livelihoods.
He pledged to persist in urging all levels of government to provide the necessary support and protection for farmers, which he believes will benefit both the region and the nation as a whole.
Earlier in the visit, SWCFO President Prince Segun Dasaolu expressed appreciation for the Olubadan’s commitment to agriculture and his support during their 2025 summit. Dasaolu outlined the challenges facing South-West farmers and sought Ladoja’s assistance in addressing these issues to restore the region’s self-sufficiency in food production.