The Federation of Agricultural Commodity Associations of Nigeria ( FACAN) recognition night has promised to double food production, just as Prof. Gbolagbade Ayoola in his keynote address described policies' non implementation as a bane of food security since independence.
Speaking last week thursday on the occasion at Sheraton, now Abuja Continental hotel, the National President, FACAN, Alhaji Sherif Balogun said that the Association is determined to assist the Federal Government (FG) in its renewed food security program through increased production with best agronomics practices by farmers.
Sherif Balogun stated that " FACAN will continue to encourage good policies, will continue to find ways to develop farmers by building their capacity in best agronomics practices for double increased food production with constant training for farmers"
He promised to use FACAN being the umbrella body of all agricultural commodity associations to the upliftment of the food value chain systems in Nigeria, saying " it is not just being president , but rather a call to service that will make one do his best towards the sector's standard development in production, processing and export"
In line with the above position, the former FACAN president, and now the chairman Board of Trustees ( BOT), Dr. Victor Iyama posited that Government must galvanize security for farmers in order to ensure massive food production, adding no farmer can confidently go to farm without doubt of mind in view of security provision.
Iyama said thousands of farmers have been killed and maimed in their farms without being compensated or reported, and he advised that priority must be placed on safety of farmers more than any palliative or inputs subsidy.
The BOT chairman identified agriculture as one of the four major sectors the Government can harness for wealth and job creations, saying the sector alone will annually generate N5 billion.
In his keynote address, Prof. Gbolagbade Ayoola identified non effective policies implementation as a critical challenge to food security in Nigeria since independence, adding that the right to food Act signed by former president Muhammad Buhari will timely attend to the challenges being faced in the sector.
Prof. Ayoola queried why since independence we are not food secured in Nigeria after several policies including Operation Feed the Nation ( OFN), the Green Revolution, Directorate for Food, Road and Rural Infrastructure ( DFFRI) and all others.
He stressed that the implementation of the right to food Act will stem the erroneous trend of policies failure in the country, adding that every Nigerian has a right to food"
He emphasized the need for small scale farmers across the country to be supported through provision of rural Infrastructure, improved technologies and friendly environmental policies that will enhance productivity in Nigeria.
Speakers during the roundtable dialogue at the dinner and recognition night with the theme " Building a stronger Economy through Agro-Commodity Value Chain Development and International cooperation " highlighted areas of challenge that must be improved upon in order to ensure food standards for local and export consumptions.
The issue of chemicals in our food system through imported fertilizers was a front burner as the President of National Association of Yam Farmers, Processors and Marketers, Prof. Simon V. Irtwange suggested that the trend of bringing fertilizers that are not allowed abroad must be checked for the healthy living of Nigerians.
He queried why such chemicals that are banned abroad find their ways into Nigerian agro ecosystem adding this was the reason why our produce are being rejected outside.
He chided the double standard practice being displayed by those that imported those banned chemicals into the country, saying they are the same people rejecting our produce on the ground of heavy chemicals abroad
Prof. Irtwange asked that " Are we eating food or poison whether in salad or in processed form. Chemicals are so much in our agricultural produce"
He advised that our emergency food security declaration must subsist on an organically produced system with more land being cleared for cultivations, adding that farmers indiscriminately applied fertilizers to the detriment of our eco system and food standard.
The yam president stressed that " the same countries who import this chemicals are the ones rejecting our produce when exported"
Ms Annabel Kamuche of NICERT- ECOCERT lending her vioce behind Prof. Irtwange said there must be an efficient regulations for food standard in Nigeria saying " it is not enough to share food to people, but rather a well produced food at the primary level that meet world standard.
She pointed that "Our food safety standard must be enhanced with tracibility, and chemicals must be used at the allowed minimum standard "
Buttressing on food rejection, the representative of former National Cassava Growers Association of Nigeria president, Mr. Bright Okunfolami posited that cassava tubers also suffered rejection in the hands of processors locally, saying standard production must be made universal for healthy foods in Nigeria.
Speaking on grains production, Prof. Ben Ahmed emphasized on the need to give inputs support to farmers in maize, achia, millets, wheat and rice, adding there is need for labour saving device to enhance productivity.
He pointed the need for extension services to farmers towards standard production through best agronomics advice, stressed the need for population policy to ensure right for food free of chemicals application.
Among the personalities given awards of recognition to the food system development are the former Minister of Trade and Investment, Hajia Aisha Abubakar, DG, Export Promotion Council, Dr. Ezra Yakusak, Prof. Gbolagbade Ayoola, former FMITI Permanent Secretary (PS), Dr. Mohammed Gwarzo, FMITI current PS, Dr. ( Mrs) Evelyn Ngige, Coconut President, Dr. ( Mrs) Uma Okechukwu Okoroji and Mr. Fransis Oyebamiji from Osun State.
Others are president of oil palm Chief Alphonso Inyang, Alhaji Mohammed Hakimi Jiga from Kebbi state, FACAN president, Alhaji Sherif Balogun, Amb. C. C Chukwu, Late Samson Nwerem ( FACAN), Cocoa Association of Nigeria President, Alhaji M. Bolarinwa, former Governor of Kebbi state, Alhaji Atiku Bagudu, Cowpea President, Alhaji Kabir Shittu, FACAN BOT chairman, Dr. Victor Iyama, former NCGA, Pastor Segun Adewunmi and FACAN chairman, Imo state, Dr. ( Mrs) Stella Okpara.
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