The lack of farm workers has been a serious issue in Nigeria since it has an impact on the production and effectiveness of the country’s agricultural sector. Poor working conditions, a lack of incentives, and the movement of rural people to urban regions in pursuit of better possibilities are only a few of the causes of the issue. The country’s general economic growth, as well as the agriculture industry, are both impacted by this labour shortage. In this article, we will examine the reasons behind the labour scarcity on Nigerian farms as well as suggest solutions.

How the shortage of farm workers affected John

John inherited a farm from his late father, who was a successful farmer. John was faced with the challenge of farm labourers because he couldn’t hire enough workers to help him plant, cultivate and harvest his crops.

As a result, he had to rely on family members and friends to help him with the farm work, but they were not able to keep up with the workload, and the farm was not producing as much as it used to.

He tried to mechanize some of the farm work, but the cost of equipment was too high for him. John’s story is just one example of how the lack of farm labourers can badly affect farms in Nigeria.

Causes of farm labour shortage in Nigeria:

1. Lack of incentives and poor working conditions: Due to the terrible working conditions and low earnings offered on farms, many farmers in Nigeria struggle to attract and retain farm labourers. Farmers struggle to attract and keep qualified and motivated personnel due to a lack of incentives.

2. Migration of rural workers to cities: Many Nigerians travel to cities in pursuit of better economic possibilities. This shift of labour from rural to urban regions decreases the labour pool accessible to farmers.

3. Limited access to quality education and training: Many people living in rural communities in Nigeria have limited access to education and training options, making it difficult for them to obtain the skills required to work on farms.

4. Political instability and insecurity in some parts of the country hinder workers’ willingness to stay in rural areas and work on farms. Some workers are not ready to take the risk of working in areas that lack security.

5. Cultural and social factors: In some cases, certain social and cultural factors can discourage people from working on farms. For example, in some traditional civilizations, farming is regarded as a low-status occupation, which may discourage young people from pursuing it as a career.

6. Inadequate investment in mechanization and technology: Many Nigerian farms continue to rely on manual labour, which is becoming increasingly rare. Farmers’ productivity and efficiency are hampered by a lack of investment in mechanization and technology.