Reopening border will improve food situation, says group

The Food Growers’ Association of Nigeria (FOGAN) has expressed its support for Federal Government's move  to reopen borders. This stand was made known by the FOGAN  President, Mr. Joseph Owolabi at a press conference held in Abuja recently.

Owolabi explained that the rising cost of food was due to low production of food commodities saying most farmers who produced the bulk of food crops were rural farmers who still used traditional farming techniques.

He said that “Nigeria’s population is too high. Even what our farmers are producing at present, and especially the way our rural farmers still operate will not be able to feed the country. But if the borders are opened, it will not affect us. It will boost the economy and the high rate of food price will drop,”

FOGAN president said one way to moderate food prices was to ensure a high production of food and that towards this end, “the association will train the grassroots farmers in modern farming techniques; provide modern equipment for farmers, such as tractor, harvesters sprayers etc. Equally, the association will initiate measures aimed at preserving and protecting the interest of the members.”

 “The Association therefore is partnering with Nigeria Institute of Soil Science and the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development on provision of sprayers, seedling, tractors and other equipment in affordable rate;provision of silos to store all perishable or non-perishable crops in all 774 local governments and also cooperate with states and local governments to bring the majority of the youth, interested in farming to participate in its agribusiness scheme.

 The FOGAN boss assured that the group was set to bring an overwhelming turnaround to food production by 2022 through increasing membership from three million as at last planting season to ten million before the year 2022 planting season.

On the issue of land, he said that  “ FOGAN will collaborate with traditional rulers in the provision of arable land for members in their localities, and also with Nigeria Agricultural Land Development Authority, (NALDA). Our members will be guided in planting the crops that are suitable for their environment by the Nigeria Institute of Soil Science to achieve a bountiful harvest.

Speaking further, he disclosed that plans are underway to ensure that every young farmer is provided with at least five hectares of land to produce any food commodity of his or her choice noting that “this practice will lead to flooding the market with food before the end of year 2024.

"Availability of market for harvested crops will be certain through partnership with the agro-industry through small or large scale farming systems.”