A quality seed, key to food security says Professor Iritwange

Professor Simon Iritwange is the Acting President Yam Farmers, Processors and Marketers Association of Nigeria (YFPMAN) and a Senior Lecturer at the University of Agriculture Makurdi, Benue state. 

Professor Simon Iritwange is the Acting President Yam Farmers, Processors and Marketers Association of Nigeria (YFPMAN) and a Senior Lecturer at the University of Agriculture Makurdi, Benue state.  He strongly believes that the availability of quality seeds and seedlings are not only necessary but crucial to the enhancement of the nation’s agricultural growth. Read his Excerpts below with Seun Ayeni at Kaduna Perl meeting.

How can Nigerian farmers access high quality seeds and seedlings without hassles?

It is very key to engage partners and critical stakeholders on the value of advocacy on quality seeds no matter the case may be, be it vegetable; legume; cereal; root and tuber, fruits etc. Seeds value cannot be overemphasized; that is why stakeholders in the seed sector should rally round so as to increase access to high quality seeds for improved yield on the same space for food sufficiency and security.

What steps should be taken to improve the agriculture sector apart from advocacy?

Apart from advocacy which is not gaining grounds, prioritization of the agricultural sector in the budgetary process, bringing in of the farmers into the system, need for training farmers for best agronomics capacity for example, an average farmer in Israel is a graduate. There is also a need to inject excitement and incentives to lure the young people into agriculture and farming culture, otherwise the future looks bleak in food production. There is also the need for the Nigerian graduates from agricultural research institutes, colleges, mono-technics, polytechnics and universities to come on board and contribute their quota to boost productivity as the culture of farming is fading away.

What do you think is the challenge facing the government in trying to meet up with the agricultural budget especially the capital aspect?

Some challenges government is faced with are; budget secrecy and confidentiality, and non-full implementation of proposed and approved budgets. Oversight duties of the legislative arm should be sharpened in the sector to increase functionality. Others are non-commensurate releases with approved budgeted sums to back budgeted items. Also on the diversification drive of the government, it is pertinent to prioritize agriculture ahead of oil if the government is keen on breaking the monolithic nature of the Nigerian economy. The government should above all increase funding of the sector.

As the Chairman of Nigeria’s Yam Export Technical Committee what is your take on the recently rejected yam export and how are you addressing issues surrounding exports?

To begin with, our yams were not rejected rather some were damaged during the process of harvest, storage and transport only 20% of yams were damaged which is pertinent to Nigerian Yams. Our mode of planting and harvest has to be improved upon.  Port access and accessibility has to be simplified and open for easy access of perishable goods and produce. The Apapa gridlock is a clear example. The Carter and 3rd Mainland bridges are encumbrances that mitigate access to loading facilities. The call for a repeal of the law on exportation is being handled by the legislative arm of the government to fast track policy formulation and execution so as to improve on the functionality of the agricultural sector in the economy. The designation of the Ikorodu lighter terminal for exportation of Agricultural farm produce is good.

Looking at the recent clashes between farmers and herders in Nigeria, what should government do to put an end as it is straining agricultural productivity?

The condition is really bad in Benue State. Most people are in Internally Displaced Persons ( IDPs) camps, the schools are closed, tension due to insecurity of lives. Nobody is going to the farms and we call it the food basket of the nation. The basket will run dry and then Nigeria will be struck with food shortages. The ‘operation cat race’‘ayemagbatuma’ should be intensified. This effort intensification is necessary to forestall food shortages, guarantee the tendency of government no going back on its policy on importation ban on food items.

What is your reaction to the abandoned seeds and facilities in the University of Agriculture Makurdi by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture?

The problem with government is policy somersault, that is, half-finished projects what we call abandoned projects e.g. In Honk Kong there is no vocabulary for abandoned projects because when asked if there were half projects lying around, they were surprised as to why should a project that has been started by the government be left unfinished.  Imagine a seed technology centre with equipment brought or imported from India which can serve the whole of West Africa lying fallow at the University which is costing Nigeria so badly. Also the issue of corruption has to be decimated.