By Olayinka Olawale
Lagos – A don, Prof. Olufemi Ajayi has appealed to the three tiers of government in the country to put in place the necessary and practical agricultural measures that would reduce hunger among the common man on the street.
Ajayi, the Deputy Director, Teaching and Research Farm, Obafemi Awolowo University,(OAU) Ile-Ife, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos on Friday that despite the fact that the country was getting out of the economic recession, food commodities were still very expensive.
“The moment the common man is able to eat good food, then, we are out of recession.
“Food security is the best ever security one can experience anywhere in the world.
“The moment there is no food security, it means there is no other security in the world. Anywhere there is insurgents’ attack, food will be catered away,” he said.
The don, therefore, urged both the Federal and state governments to invest more in agriculture to ensure food security and bring down prices of food commodities.
“There is diversification now, because there is less emphasis on oil. However, government must increase its investment and attention on agriculture.
“People are now gradually shifting toward agriculture and if you move around from state to local governments, you will see that so many people now see agriculture as the only way out.
“But if agriculture is the only way out, how much preparation are we making?
“Are governors ready to invest and promote agriculture?
“I am not talking about promoting agriculture on paper or in the media, but promoting it in practicable sense,” he said.
He said that government should provide farmers with enough agricultural machinery, equipment and inputs at subsidised or reduced prices. (NAN)
