Agric committee chairman, university don agree on diverting security vote

The House Committee Chairman on Agricultural Produce and Services at the National Assembly, Hon. Mohammed Muntari Dandutse together with the Dean, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Abuja Prof. Park o. Idisi have both posited that a larger part of money budgeted for security is alternatively used to reposition Agriculture towards foods sustainability to check hunger and other insecurity vices. 

Both personalities told journalists this during a media chat in Abuja.

Hon. Dandutse pointed it is high time the government starts thinking of alternative use of security votes for more impactful agricultural activities that can checkmate hunger and miscreants’ attitude like banditry,  kidnapping and general unrest against sustainable food system.

The Honourable chairman stressed that the diversion of such security vote into agricultural activities would create more jobs and wealth to people saying people would take to food business rather than crime.

Dandutse said over the years the money expended on insecurity hasn't yielded much result as there is increased insecurity across the country occasioned by the ill activities of bandits and Boko-Haram which have negatively impacted on food productivity just as he called on security agencies to ensure more protection for farmers.

Abuja Agriculture University don, Prof. Park o. Idisi also lends his weight behind the position of the honorable member saying that government needs to reposition the money being expended on security for alternative uses into agriculture for food security.

Idisi advised that government should use security vote to ensure excess food in the country for people to eat, adding that the fund will also help to create jobs at the value chains of the sector.