Stakeholders in the agricultural sector have called on government to increase investment in agricultural infrastructure across the country.
They made a case for more agricultural facilities such as silos, irrigation and other equipment to boost dry season farming across the country.
The farmers, under the umbrella of All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), made the call in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday, November 1, 2017 in Abuja.
Mr Isah Harri, Organising Secretary, AFAN Nasarawa State branch, said dry season farming could be more productive if facilities such as irrigation, silos and other farming facilities were available for farmers.
“Honestly we need dry season farming; dry season farming is more productive than rainy season farming.
“The people in the far north make more money than us, this dry season irrigation is very good and the government should encourage more of that than rainy season farming.
“They should build dams, farmers will key in and they will be productive all year round and not just wait for seasonal farming.
“We need better storage facilities; they need to build more silos so that during the dry season prices of food will still remain stable.
“Government should buy food and store and later sell it to the general public.’’
Also speaking to NAN, Chief John Baba, the Local Government Coordinator, AFAN Kogi State Branch commended the Federal Governments’ efforts in ensuring that farmers are provided with inputs.
Baba, who is also the State Chairman of Cocoa Association of Nigeria, however, appealed to the government to extend the gesture to all parts of the country.
“The government is trying especially in the northern side, but in the Eastern and Western side there is no much improvement on irrigation.
“We need to go on proper irrigation and there should be more provisions either by state governments or the Federal Government
“Definitely we need more silos to be able to store those perishable commodities so that we do not have problems especially when you have these climatic hazards like the floods.
“If those things are well preserved for two three years, we will not have problems but if we do not have enough silos or preservative conditions or materials, it will be very bad.
“I will want the state governors, their ministry of agriculture; and the commissioners to assist farmers, to encourage them.’’
In her contribution, Mrs Mary Inwang, said that with adequate facilities and support, women farmers were capable of eradicating hunger and malnutrition in the country.
She called fo more investment on smallholder farmers, particularly women who were facing challenges in accessing agricultural inputs and extension services.
By Okon Okon
