AFAN seeks FG’s subsidy on agric to boost food production

Dr Abdullahi Muhammed, the Edo North Coordinator, All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), has urged the Federal Government to subsidise agriculture to enhance the nation’s agricultural production.

Muhammed made the call on Monday in Auchi, Edo. He said that subsidy would reduce importation of foods into the country and generate employment opportunities for citizens.

“We want agriculture to be subsidised by the federal government as it is done in America, China and Europe in order to produce sufficient food for the country.

“Through subsidy to farmers, they (farmers) would be able to produce sufficient food for export and this would increase the nation’s economy and foreign reserve, “ he said.

The coordinator expressed displeasure over food importation, saying that the situation had resulted in the fall in the value of the Naira.

“Relying on importation will not make our economy grow; the economy of Malaysia is growing today because they are exporting farm products to other nations.

“Why the Naira is falling is because we are now depending on importation of agricultural materials. We have the capacity to produce food in this country which we can export to other countries and by doing this, it will increase our foreign reserve, “ he said.

Muhammed said increase in agricultural production was the panacea towards revamping the country’s economy.

He advised the federal government to sustain the ongoing Agricultural Transformation Agenda, saying that it has impacted tremendously on the sector.