Former lawmaker Senator Shehu Sani has described agricultural summits held across Northern Nigeria as mere "talking shops" that fail to address the fundamental security challenges facing farmers in the region.

"Going to the farm is not the problem but coming back from the farm. Agricultural summits in the North are just talking shops until the full restoration of law and order in the rural communities," Sani stated.

The former senator's comments come amid worsening insecurity in northern Nigeria, where bandits and terrorist groups have systematically driven farmers away from their lands. This exodus has significantly contributed to rising food prices and exacerbated the country's already high inflation rate.

Sani's criticism highlights the disconnect between government-sponsored agricultural initiatives and the harsh realities faced by farmers who risk their lives attempting to cultivate their lands in insecurity-plagued areas.

In response to the growing security challenges affecting food production, President Bola Tinubu recently approved the establishment of forest guards to protect Nigerian forests, many of which have become hideouts for terrorist groups. According to the presidency, this initiative will create employment opportunities for young Nigerians who will be trained as forest guards while simultaneously addressing security threats to agricultural production.

However, Sani's statement suggests that more immediate and effective security measures are needed beyond summits and discussions to restore safety in farming communities and ensure Nigeria's food security.

The situation underscores the complex relationship between security challenges and economic stability in Nigeria, where agricultural productivity remains a critical component of the nation's economy and food security strategy.