45th NCARD: Monarch, farmers knock agric policy on loan, insecurity

The chairman, traditional council of Chiefs and Emirs in Plateau state,  Gbong Gwom Jos, Jacob Gyang Buba together with farmers' representative Mr. Segun Dasaolu at the recently concluded 45th National Council on Agriculture And Rural Development ( NCARD) have both faulted the implementation strategies of Federal Government (FG) on food productivity, saying wrong loan disbursement and unchecked insecurity had seriously hindered food production in the country.

The two personalities told the gathering of agriculture council meeting stakeholders chaired by the Agric Minister, Dr. Mohammad Mahmood Abubakar in Jos last week Thursday that government must up her game in partnership with farmers as insecurity must be checkmated using state police.

Jacob Gyang Buba Gbong Gwom Jos in his speech to the minister of Agriculture said that the implementation of food security matter of FG has failed due to wrong disbursement as Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Anchor Borrow Program (ABP) loans were wrongly disbursed to people who are not real farmers, adding that majority beneficiaries did not have any land of their own in the rural areas to farm.

Dang Guba promised the minister of Agriculture that he would give him a report on why food program on Agriculture failed, saying "Honourable Minister, when we meet again, we will present a paper from Plateau state council of Chiefs and Emirs on why FG food program on Agriculture has failed. I hope you will give us the opportunity to come and express our source why the food program failed in Plateau and other states"

He however advocated for the revival of extension services as it used to be in 60s and 70 with efficient cooperative operation of land clearing and market provision.

The traditional ruler commended the effort of the Northern governors' forum that has given nod to state police, saying it would restore back the confidence of farmers to go back to full cultivation of food crops in the rural areas for food abundance. 

Also, the farmers representative from Faruk led All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), Mr. Segun Dasaolu pointed at hunger as a menace affecting everybody that FG must given immediate attention without any further delay.

Dasaolu frowned at the shabby attitude Government usually give to farmers who are supposed to be partnered for effective result in food security matters, querying why the seat of farmers in this kind of gathering be at the back when they actually deserve to be in the front.

According to him “there is a need to restrategize,  create more linkages between the farmers and the state, so that critical issues relating to farmers' welfare will be taken care while resolving the current hunger being faced in the country “

He stressed the need to always put farmers in the front burner of national food productivity, saying why should the major driver of the sector be put at the back seats.

Dasaolu appreciated the Buhari led administration for his support to farmers, while he also commended the FMARD for council meeting conference being organized.