‘Blame Govt For Poor Agric Policy Implementation’

Poor implementation of
agricultural  policies  by governments has been identified as the major factor militating against improved food  production in the country.
Similarly, adequate assistance is not given to farmers to enable them produce food for massive  consumption and exportation.
Speaking in an interview with The Tide in Port Harcourt recently at the World Food  Day celebration, the Head of  Extension Department, Nigerian Stored Products, Research  Institute  (NSPRI) Port Harcourt, Mr.   Samuel  Duru said that the habit of diverting funds  meant for agricultural  programmes and farming equipment has been  responsible for the low food production in the  country.
“Government is not giving enough  attention to the agricultural sector and programmes concerning food production are not implemented religiously”, Duru stressed .
According to  him, NSPRI  has contributed immensely  to the agricultural  development of the country through the sensitisation  of farmers on the proper ways of handling  equipment and food preservation, which  most farmers have imbibed.
Duru  noted that the institute’s range of agriculture equipment,  including a local multipurpose drier, are available for farmers and the general public, pointing out that the institute also produces various consumables and enjoined all to access the products at the office.
Also interviewed, the Director/General Manager, Rivers State Agricultural Marketing Company Limited, Mr. Christian Okpara said  the company had procured different agricultural imputs  for sale to farmers at subsidised rates.
Some of  such products include agro-chemicals against weeds, insecticides against crops diseases, amongst others, Okpara said,  adding that though the chemicals are  dangerous to life, the firm carries out regular awareness  campaign to sensitize  farmers on their uses.
The company chief executive, however, noted  that inadequate funds to procure the chemicals and other  inputs was the major  challenge facing the firm, pointing out that everything possible was being done to support the agricultural growth of the state

Shedie Okpara