Agric correspondents tell FG to reduce cost of food

 

Agric media correspondents have asked the Federal Government ( FG) to take proactive actions that will help to enhance food security in the country.

This was contained in a statement issued by the Agriculture Correspondents Association of Nigeria ( ACAN) led by its chairman Mr. Collins Nnabuife yesterday.

Mr. Collins Nnabuife said the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security ( FMAFS) should as a matter of urgency embark on activities that would stimulate food sufficiency as being anticipated by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in his renewed hope for Nigerian food security system.

In the statement, Nnabuife reminded the FG that hardship Nigerians are passing is surmountable through reduction on cost of food adding that doing the needful would go a long way on the livelihood of Nigerians as being anticipated by President Tinubu when he declared the state of emergency on the food security system in Nigeria.

The statement stated that since the current administration declared an emergency on the agriculture and food sector, no tangible actions have been taken towards implementing policies that can ameliorate the situation. 

Nnabuife said the government should immediately stop the vain talks and make moves to end the food insecurity in the country. 

The Association chairman noted with dismay, that despite the food outlook reports recently released by some credible international organisations, indicating that some states of the federation were already on acute hunger list, the Ministers of agriculture were yet to hit the ground running with policy implementation. 

The Association advised that "  government should facilitate better market access for farmers and promote value addition along the agricultural value chain. Creating avenues for farmers to access local and international markets will not only increase income for farmers but also position Nigeria as a key player in the global agricultural market. 

 "There should be advocates for policy reforms that address challenges such as land tenure, trade barriers, and regulatory bottlenecks, fostering an enabling environment for agricultural growth.

 "There is a need for immediate youth Inclusion in agriculture programs through training, mentorship, and incentives to revitalize the sector and address the aging farming population.

 "The Ministries of agriculture both at the Federal and state levels should evolve stakeholder collaboration, to spur inclusive participation among stakeholders, including government agencies, private sector players, and civil society organizations, to ensure a holistic and coordinated approach towards agricultural development. 

 "Nigeria should also give adequate attention to programs that prioritize climate-smart agricultural practices to enhance resilience to climate change, mitigate risks, and ensure sustainable agricultural practices"