The familiar saying, “Think globally, act locally,” resonates deeply when considering the fundamental need for food security. While the concept might seem vast and complex, the solution often lies right beneath our feet, in the arable land that surrounds us. Agriculture, at its heart, is a local endeavour, and it’s time we embraced the potential of our immediate environment to ensure that everyone has access to nutritious and affordable food.
Here in Kwara State and countless communities across Nigeria, we are blessed with land capable of yielding sustenance. We don’t need to look far for crops that thrive in our climate and soil. Consider cassava and potato, two resilient staples that have the remarkable ability to flourish in a wide range of soil types, demanding little more than land that isn’t excessively rocky or waterlogged. These aren’t exotic imports requiring specialized care; they are crops perfectly suited to our local conditions.
The beauty of focusing on crops like cassava and potato is their adaptability. They can become the foundation of countless meals, providing essential carbohydrates and nutrients. Furthermore, their cultivation offers a multitude of benefits for our communities. It empowers individuals and families to become producers, fostering self-reliance and economic opportunity. It reduces our dependence on long and often unreliable supply chains, making our food systems more resilient to external shocks and price fluctuations. And perhaps most importantly, it connects us directly to the source of our food, fostering a greater appreciation for the land and the labour involved in feeding ourselves.
Food security isn’t just the government’s concern; it is a shared responsibility that begins in our backyards and farms. By actively utilizing the arable land around us, we can collectively contribute to a more secure and sustainable food future for everyone. Imagine the impact if more households and communities embraced small-scale farming of crops like cassava and potato. We could see a reduction in food scarcity, improved nutrition, and a strengthening of our local economies.
Let’s move beyond the notion that agriculture is solely the domain of large-scale operations. Let’s empower ourselves with the knowledge and resources to cultivate even small plots of land. Let’s share knowledge and best practices within our communities. Let’s make a conscious effort to prioritize locally grown produce.
The potential is immense. Our land is fertile, and our capacity for hard work is well-known. By recognizing the power of local agriculture and the versatility of crops like cassava and potato, we can transform our communities and build a future where food security is not a distant aspiration, but a tangible reality for all. It’s time to roll up our sleeves, connect with the land, and cultivate a more secure and prosperous future, one cassava plant and one potato at a time.
