Ondo State Agricbusiness stakeholders have called on the federal government to address critical areas that require urgent intervention for food security to avoid famine in the country.
The Senior Special Assistant to the Ondo State Governor on Agric and Agric business, Pastor Akin Olotu stated this while addressing newmen in Akure recently.
The stakeholders which included ; the State Agricultural Commodities Association, Cocoa council and many others, advised that if urgent intervention is not critically put into consideration, the country may experience famine which is already looming.
Addressing the media, Olotu identified some immediate actions, medium and long term agenda as well as considering specific recommendation that could be employed in addressing the situation.
Highlighting the immediate actions, Olotu mentioned security, legislating on grazing on farm nation-wide by the national and state assembly, prioritization of immediate action on modern cattle rearing system whose implementation should commence urgently to reduce kidnapping and decentralization of all federal MDAs in agriculture with immediate effect which should be devolved to the six geopolitical zones.
Also included in the immediate action is the need to reduce cost of farming, mandating all local governments in the country under strict, viable scheme to work on strategic rural roads, revisiting the free school feeding programme and procurement of rugged tri-cycle with trailers for farmers at affordable rates to reduce cost of transportation to and fro the farm and movement of inputs from and to the farm respectfully.
Speaking on the medium and long term agenda, Olotu said Federal government should develop a-10 year master plan for agriculture.
This, he stated could vary from one administration to another, but remained constant policy which should take into consideration what he called the five key pillars of agricultural transformation in the world which are institution, infrastructure, inputs, incentives and information.
He urged the federal government to also take critical look at the Bank of Agriculture, saying there should be a new legislation guiding commercial banks activities in the agricultural sector.
He recommended that special fund be made available for specific strategic indigenous investors at 4percent maximum interest rate.
“We demand immediate intervention for tree crops in Nigeria. Ondo state Red Gold is a shining example, cocoa production could be increased substantially with good policy and clinical implantation,”
” We demand a private sector driven or a hybrid national cocoa council and an umbrella body for all cocoa stakeholders in Nigeria.
“Coffee, cashew, rubber, shea butter have enough potential to create millions of jobs and generate forex”, he stated.
The stakeholders called for an urgent modernized cattle rearing which they argued is achievable within 24 months, revisit the DFRRI, NALDA and River Basin, with a decentralized and developed structure.
They said there is need to pay attention to research and development as well as cancel import duties or tariff on agricultural products, equipment and inputs while reviewing the curriculum of agriculture at the universities.
” Our production volume In Agriculture must be addressed, leaving no stone unturned”
” Cost of production has gone up astronomically, we need inputs that can give adequate yields to cover cost of production and leave a reasonable margin for farmers and investors in agric- business, to earn a measure of decent living and return/forward on investment,” he declared
Farmers, he further expressed, need immediate and huge support in terms of access way to their farms as he charges governments at all levels to talk about rural roads, rural housing and electricity to ensure urban-rural migration.
