AFAN Urges Increased Budgetary Allocation To Agric Sector

The All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN) in Anambra on Friday, called for increased budgetary allocation to the agricultural sector to boost food production in the country.

The state Chairman of AFAN, Chief Nnamdi Mekor, made the call in an interview with newsmen in Awka, the state capital. Mekor decried what he called the “paltry” yearly budgetary allocation to the sector by both the Federal and State Governments.

“What is usually released to the agricultural sector in budgetary allocation every year is just about three per cent, which is nothing compared to what is given to other sectors of the economy,” he said.

He, therefore, urged governments to increase budgetary provision to agriculture to between 10 and 15 per cent to revolutionise the sector and enhance food production.

 “It is agriculture that will provide raw materials for industries but the unfortunate thing is that it has not been accorded a pride of place and deserved attention in the scheme of things in the country,” Mekor noted.

The chairman, who described agriculture as the bedrock of development, maintained that to revolutionise the sector, all hands must be on deck.

According to him, agriculture requires a revolutionary approach to boost food production and create mass employment in the country.