Expert Seeks Involvement Of Schools In Food Production …Says PHCCIMA Ready To Lead 

An agriculturist, Emmanuel Ogbonda, has called on authorities, particularly government at various levels, to involve all strata of schools in agriculture as a means of improving food shortage in the country.
This, he said, is in the face of growing food shortage warranted by the effects of the COVID-19, pandemic, flood, climate change and insecurity issue  across the nation,
Ogbonda, who is the Supervising, Agric Trade Group, Port Harcourt Chamber of Commerce (PHCCIMA), made the call in an interview with newsmen, saying if strict measures are not taken to fight the current food scarcity in the country, “people may start suffering from mal-nutrition, hunger, and death may likely set in”.
On the part of Government, he said emphasis should be laid on showing practical interest by investing more in agriculturap products that do well in their soils across the country.
For schools, which include primary, secondary and tertiary institutions, he said the enabling environment for farming be created be the school authorities.
“Agriculture is one important sector that government needs to pay attention to. COVID-19 and insecurity are major challenges that have affected food production. Weather has  not also been friendly, making farmers to harvest their crops prematurely, as well as flood that ravaged people’s farmlands destroying crops.
“Once there is shortage of food supply from the source, definitely there will be scarcity. That is what is happening presently: food is scarce. If nothing is done,  people will begin to suffer hunger and the death rate may likely increase”, he said.
While noting that different parts of Nigeria are blessed with good soils that could grow various agricultural products, Ogbonda called on relevant authorities to begin to fight against food shortage in the country, saying that PHCCIMA is ready to get involved.
“Schools should be practically involved in agriculture by allowing pupils and students participate in agriculture. We, as Port Harcourt Chamber of Commerce, want to start going to schools to sensitize  and get them involved in agricultural practices from primary to the university.
“In school environments there are usually large space of land allowed to waste. These lands could be used for agricultural development. Those lands should no longer be allowed to lie fallow”, he said.
Ogbonda also urged federal, state and local governments to increase their budget on agriculture and support farmers with subventions to boost agriculture.

By: Susan Serekara-Nwikhana