… university don canvasses subsidy for farmers
By Stella Odueme
The Potato Farmers Association of Nigeria (POFAN) has organised a two-day annual stakeholders forum and farmers training workshop to build her farmers’ capacity and keep abreast of new technologies to enhance food production.
Also, Professor Vincent Tenebe, a professor of agronomy with the National
Open University of Nigeria and former Vice-Chancellor of Taraba State University, Jalingo sought more support for farmers by the government through provision of subsidy even as he urged farmers to plan their farming activities to get good yields.
In his welcome address on Thursday in Abuja, the President of POFAN, Chief Daniel Okafor said that his association has continued to open her space in the area of collaboration and partnership for the upliftment of the farmers.
“Today’s event is a dream come true and another milestone on the strides of POFAN in carrying out her annual stakeholders and farmers capacity building. This is the second edition and we hope to continue to build on strengthening our farmers to greater heights.
“Just as the world is evolving, our farmers are expected to revolve too, especially on the current today climate change in the universe.
He outlined the training focus as; capacity building for farmers on best agricultural practices to meet international standards, benefits of Bio-Tech crops and food safety towards food security, agricultural funding as a paradigm shift for food security, agriculture insurance as a game changer and more to the benefit of farmers and the community.
He expressed appreciation to partners for their support saying; “we thank our partners immensely. With your support we will continue to contribute our quota towards achieving nutrition and food security in Nigeria. We pledge our assurance that such support, financial, material and otherwise will decode enough impact among our farmer community.”
Professor Tenebe who is also the chairman of the board of trustees of the Biotechnology Society of
Nigeria as well as chairman, board of trustees of the West and Central
Africa Development Network who presented a paper on” “Fertilizer Procurement and Utilisation: Essentials to Farmers for Achievement of Food Security” said that fertilizers crop
production is dependent on soil fertility.
“Because when you have a fertilized soil, the crop
will develop well and it will yield.
And the yield of crop is what forms our food. So if you are able to get a fertilized soil and
if you have soil that is not fertile, you can improve it with fertilizers. “So if you are able to
get the right fertilizers and you use them correctly, you are going to have a high yield.
“And any farmer that plants a crop and the crop produces high, will be a rich farmer. And
that will give you food security.
“My message to
Nigerian farmers is that they should plan their farm activities. And they should ensure
that they use fertilized soils or adequate fertilizers in crop production. And this
will ensure a good yield.
“We should support our farmers. The
government should support the farmers. Government should be able to provide subsidy
for farmers.
Because all over the world, even in the developed countries where food is sufficient, the
government provides subsidy for the farmers. So when farmers produce with subsidy,
they will be able to sell their food items at affordable prices.
“Now, a bag of fertilizer, a farmer is buying a bag for 46,000. A farmer will hire
a tractor for one hectare, he will pay almost about 50,000.
So the cost of production is high.
“When the cost of production is high, the farmer has to
sell at high price so that he can recover his input. But if government provides subsidy for
farmers, government will be able to peg the price of food and tell the farmers you cannot
sell above this price.
Because we have lowered your production cost. And that is what will help us.
“So this is
my advice to the government.
To provide subsidy for farmers’ production so that food will be available and affordable.
And this is what will bring the general food security in the country.”
The Director General /Chief Executive Officer of the National Biotechnology Research and Development Agency NBRDA, Prof Abdullahi Mustapha presented a paper in the ‘Benefits of Biotechnology on Agricultural Value-Chain for Food Security.
Represented by Dr. Rose Gidado, he harped of farmers keying into the numerous benefits of using biotechnology in increasing yields.
Also, the Director General of Nigeria Biosafety Management Agency, NBMA, Dr. Yemisi Asagbra who was represented by Janet Adesida spoke on the benefits of biosafety on agricultural value-chain for food security.
The Managing Director/CEO of Nigerian Agricultural Insurance Corporation, NAIC, Mrs. Folashade Joseph who was represented by Mr Michael Ayo spoke on ‘Agricultural Insurance: A Game Changer in Agric Investment’.
Several other papers were presented during the two-day event.
