Agric experts seek FG's stronger security measures to protect farmers

….As Leventis Foundation graduates 147 young farmers

Amidst growing threats to Nigeria’s food security initiatives, agriculture experts have called on the Federal Government to strengthen security measures to protect farmers across the country

Nigeria’s over 200 million population is said to be exposed to food insecurity, according to October Cadre Harmonise, a government-led and UN supported food and nutrition analysis that is carried out twice a year.

The analysis also estimated that over 25 million Nigerians are likely to face extreme hunger conditions amidst growing poverty and rising food inflation, mostly resulting from incessant kidnapping, farmers/herders clashes and other violent conflicts that have remained unabated.

Agriculture experts, speaking at the graduation ceremony organised for young graduate farmers trained by the Leventis Foundation, a non-government organisation, called on the Federal Government to urgently tackle insecurity, to prevent further decline in the sector.
The food security situation over the years had been impacted especially by violent conflicts, including the insurgency in the North East; armed banditry in the Northwest; perennial farmer – herder conflicts in the North Central, South West, and increasingly across the country; even as separatist agitators hold sway in the South East among others.

This is as natural disasters, in particular, the rinsing incidence and frequency of floods, occasioned by climate change impact, continue to also affect food production and the availability and affordability of food in Nigeria.

Hope Usieta, executive director, Leventis Foundation, speaking at the graduation ceremony at the Foundation Agricultural training school, Yaba, Abaji, Abuja, at the weekend, also charged the government to assist farmers with subsidised farm inputs and start up capital, especially for young graduates in the sector to strengthen job opportunities

Usieta disclosed that the Foundation has over the years, dedicated programmes for training farmers with the aimed of boosting economic diversification, creating job opportunities in agric business and promoting the production of high quality inputs, in conjunction with the states and local governments.

He assured that the graduating students had been well equipped to contribute to the nation’s food security initiatives, having been thoroughly groomed in all aspects of agricbusiness.

He therefore, urged the graduates to key into the school’s alumni programme, which guarantees proper mentorship, supports and grants that will help them to excel in their chosen field.

Lawan Geidam, Mandate Secretary, FCT Agriculture and Rural Development Secretariat (FCTARDS), who was the Chairman of the occasion, in his speech, noted that agriculture requires vibrant young people’s participation, even as he commended the Leventis Foundation for its invaluable contribution to the country.

He noted that through the project, Nigeria can boast of adequate man power for the agriculture sector.

He therefore, charged the graduates to avoid practices that will make it impossible for them to actualise their ambitions.

He directed the FCT Cares to provide start off packages, including she goats and sheep, 200 fingerlings, amongst other supports facilities to the graduates to enable them have easy start in their chosen fields of agricultural endeavours.

Guest Speaker, Stephen Orji, of the Abuja Enterprise Agency, in his lecture, announced support for the best graduating student in Agriculture and Rural Development, with N50,000 (Fifty Thousand ) Naira only.

He also urged the graduates to focus on deliberate marketing policies for their businesses to survive and thrive.

“Locate your target market, this will reduce your market costs and segments your marketing by identifying those who need your produce.

“Marketing encompasses the pricing, the packaging, getting to know your competitors, identifying your customers and goals setting.