Palliatives Not Solution To Hunger- Farmers To Tinubu

The Nigerian farmers under the auspices of the All Farmers Association of Nigeria, AFAN, yesterday, reacted to the palliative  measures implemented by the Tinubu administration.

This was contained in a statement signed by the National President, of AFAN, Arc Kabir Ibrahim, where Tinubu was advised on establishing sustainable food banks that would holistically address current challenges in food production across the country including high cost of the country including high cost of farm inputs, mechanization, high cost of fuel, invasion of farms by terrorists, killing of farmers, and others.

According to Ibrahim, to bring about self-sufficiency in food production it must be well thought out with competencies identified in line with comparative advantage and ecology.

He said: “The quest for sustainable food security in a nation of over 200 million people transcends the distribution of palliatives but essentially calls for the scaling up of productivity and reinvigorating the entire food system by taking decisive actions.

“A temporary relief may assuage a hungry person for a few days or months depending on the magnitude of the relief package but a more sustainable solution to the ailing food system is the most desirable proposition in the face of the almost existential challenges we are facing.

“Nigeria is subdivided into six geopolitical zones comprising of North Central with six States; North East with six States+FCT; North West with six States; South East with five States; South South with six States; and South West with six States with each of these Zones having its food or preferred meal.

READ ALSO: Subsidy Removal: Reps Commends Tinubu For Announcement Of Palliatives

“To bring about food sufficiency in Nigeria its production must be well thought out with competencies identified in line with comparative advantage and ecology generally.”

However, speaking on why the Tinubu-lead administration should reposition Nigeria as the leading food producing country in Africa, its policies in the agricultural sector should take a global outlook and consideration and to leverage on international food producing and exporting treaties and should take these advantages including the African Continental Free Trade Agreement, AfCFTA.

READ ALSO: Just In: Tribunal Reserves Judgment In Atiku’s Petition Seeking Nullification Of Tinubu’s Election

“It must also be noted that the position of Nigeria in Africa necessitates the broadening of the food productivity index to cater for several African countries in our neighbourhood as they directly depend on Nigeria for food supply.

Trending video of the day;

Photo Credit: Getty