The Federal Government’s “expansive programme on agriculture” to enhance food security pleases Dunlop Okoro, a Southeast Coordinator of the All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN).
Chief Okoro was reacting to President Bola Tinubu’s nationwide broadcast on Monday when he told this to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Umuahia on Tuesday.
He said the Federal Government’s agricultural interventions is capable of boosting food production to alleviate the people’s sufferings.
While enthusing that the programme would go a long way in cushioning the effects of the petrol subsidy removal on the prices of food items in the country, he however urged the Federal Government to accelerate its activities of providing security for the nation’s farmers.
“This is the only way they can further promote Federal Government’s expansive agricultural programme.”
The immediate past Chairman of AFAN, Abia state chapter, believes farmers can only benefit from the government’s interventions when they work without fear of being attacked or harassed by criminals.
“The farmers are desirous to cultivate their farms since they have no other means of livelihood but insecurity poses a major challenge to them.
“If security is not guaranteed for them, how will they utilise the government’s interventions?
“It simply means that the aim of the programme is totally defeated.
“It has become almost impossible for farmers in the North to access their farms without the fear of being killed or maimed by insurgents.
“Even here in the Sourh-East, we are beginning to experience similar security breaches and attacks on farmers by bandits.”
Chief Okoro also advised the government against using its agricultural programme to settle its political loyalists.
Rather, he wants the government to explore avenues that would connect it with the genuine farmers to ensure the success of its interventions.
He also called on the Federal Government to implement its plan to cultivate 500,000 hectares with maize, rice and cassava across the six geopolitical zones based on the zones’ comparative advantage.
He also advised that only patriotic and qualified Nigerians should be appointed to coordinate the agricultural interventions, while recommending that a mechanism to checkmate corruption should be established. (NAN)
