2022 Agric show records low turn out, minister absent

The year 2022 opening ceremony of National Agricultural show held yesterday at Tundun Wada, Keffi, Nasarawa state recorded a very low turnout, just as Minister of Agriculture, Dr. Mohammad Mahmood Abubakar was conspicuously absent on  the occasion.

The Governor of Nazarawa Engr. Abdullahi Sule and chairman National Agricultural Foundation (NAF), the official organiser of the show, Sen. Abubakar Adamu were also represented.

Most stakeholders didn't take it kindly with the Minister's absence in view of his portfolio relationship with the event and  food security matters, as they described his action as misplaced of priority.

 

Majority of stakeholders  pointed that the minister performance since assumption of office has not significantly impacted on the sector in view of hike in food prices.

They frowned at the Minister's leaving his major assignment to attend national award ceremony of which he was not among those to be honoured, adding it was a reflection of having no passion for the sector.

In his remark, the Head of Traditional Rulers in Nassarawa state HRH, Barrister Joel Samuel Aninge advocated for a proactive agric minister that would be more sensitive to farmers needs towards achieving food security just as he stressed for a more passionate personality as agric minister that would be ready to reason with farmers' need.

The traditional monarch challenged farmers' association to be bold enough to ask for a competent person as the next minister, adding that anybody posted to the ministry must be able to seek farmers' opinion on any agricultural issue as a sign of recognization to their roles. 

Speaking with journalists, the National president, All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN) Arch. Ibrahim  Kabiru pointed that agricbusiness must not be politicized as he emphasized the need for competent Minister of Agriculture who understands the sector very well.

Kabiru opined that for food security not to be in jeopardy, henceforth the sector must not be handed over to a novice, saying that anybody appointed to drive the agriculture of this country should be someone who knows what to do "otherwise we will remain in this hole despite the fact that we are a rich country and an agrarian country"

He noted that the event was a great opportunity for small holders farmers to showcase what they have been able to produce against all odds as he admonished farmers to be resilient for food security.

 He commended the farmers' unrelenting effort to achieve food security inspite of climate change challenges occasioned by flooding devastations on crops, lives and properties, adding that the issue of insecurity, lack of mechanization and flooding which is so devastating,and has resulted into farmers loosing all that they have planted"

To avoid shortage of food, he called on farmers to quickly return back to farm with climate smart agricultural practices of round the year farming with adoption of mechanized technologies to reduce drudgery. 

A farmer, and participant from Nassarawa state Hakeem Abu expressed disappointment over the low turnout at the event saying the Agric show is gradually dying as government is already leaving the load to farmers to bear on their own, if not why should the Agric minister be absent in a great event as this, saying it reflected little or no interest on the part of those that are appointed to handle the affairs of the food productivity.