Federal Government has been called upon to beef up security around agric farms and farmers across the nation to enhance food production in the country.
Ondo State Commissioner for Agriculture and Forestry, Olayato Aribo made the call on Monday in Akure, Ondo State capital during the celebration of World Food Day with the theme: “Water Is Life, Water Is Food.”.
He noted that the state government has embarked on empowering farmers in the state by distributing farm inputs and seedlings to them.
Aribo said the Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu-led administration has procured graders and tractors for grading of roads to farmsteads to check wastage of farm produce and provide access to markets
He, therefore, caution some farmers who were done of selling off farm inputs distributed to them by the state government.
The commissioner explained that the state government would not relent in encouraging youths and other persons who are interested in going into farming by providing them with the wherewithal needed
According to him, “Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu has procured tractors and graders for the grading of roads to farmsteads.
“The equipment are to be used in all local government areas of the state to enhance commercial farming in the state.
“I want to implore those who collected farm inputs from the state government and sold them off instead of using them for the purpose for which they were given.
“We will continue to assist farmers and encourage those who want to go into farming by providing them with seedling, chemicals and other necessary inputs they need ”
Senior Special Assistant (Agric & Agribusiness) to the governor, Mr. Akin Olotu called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to give approval for establishment of state police and local government constabulary.
He also called on Federal Government to design programme on how to conserve water during raining season and flooding for the use of farmers during the dry season.
Olotu said: “Food security is a major issue globally, it is a global problem, with local peculiarity, which varies from one Country to another. It will be wise to look at food security in the Nigeria context on a special day like this.
“Agriculture and Agri- business often received volumes of support largely on pages of paper. It has become an annual ritual from one administration to another at the Federal level, in budget presentation for agriculture to be given prominence. It comes as the number one, it is topmost in the RENEWED Hope Agenda of the Tinubu’s Administration. It is our prayer and hope that the sector will be given proper attention, this time around.
“Farmers and farms are not secured. We thank God for Amotekun in Ondo State. The outright solution is a better security architecture. State Police and local government constabulary should start now.
“The present structure will never give the desired result, let there be operational restructuring of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and other Agencies put in place by the Federal Government.”
Speaking on water conservation, the Senior Special Assistant on Agric & Agribusiness said: “Nigeria on the other hand with abundant water resources still depends largely on rain-fed agriculture. We have months with flood occurrence across the Country and shortly after the rainy season we all start to look for water.
“Food security is a major issue globally, it is a global problem, with local peculiarity, which varies from one Country to another. It will be wise to look at food security in the Nigeria context on a special day like this.
“Agriculture and Agri- business often received volumes of support largely on pages of paper. It has become an annual ritual from one administration to another at the Federal level, in budget presentation for agriculture to be given prominence. It comes as the number one, it is topmost in the RENEWED Hope Agenda of the Tinubu’s Administration. It is our prayer and hope that the sector will be given proper attention, this time around.”
Mr. Ogundeko Akreem, State Coordmator Federal Ministry of Agroalime explained that “the administration of president Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR is working seriously on ways towards delivering on the renewed hope agenda.
“Consequently, our Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security has mapped out strategies of operations over the next four years to attain sufficient food and food security for our dear country.
“The Federal Ministry Agriculture is ready to partner with all our stakeholders including the youths and women to massively invoive in the Agricultural businesses.”
However, Mr. Obaweya, chairman of Ondo State Agricultural Commodity Association (OSACA), appealed to the state government to help in collection of data on farm value chains for the use of farmers.
He said it would avail the state the opportunity of projecting on agricultural programmes.
