Rivers
Farmers Urge Govt, Corporate Bodies For Support … Wants More Youths In Farming
The Association of Farmers and Food Processors in Rivers State has called on government and corporate bodies to do more to support practicing farmers in the state in order to successfully tackle the issue of food scarcity and continuous increase in price.
President of the association, Chisom Dike, who made the call while speaking with our correspondent in Port Harcourt, said the aim is to make food available for Rivers people.
He said the agricultural sector comprises more of the elderly, adding that there is a need for young people to venture into farm business as it help to increase food production and processing across the State.
“We don’t have enough farmers in Rivers State. Also, there are more of elderly people farming in the agric industry. It is a challenge because we are not producing enough food.
“We need more young people, whether male or female, to invest in farming as it is equally a lucrative business”, he said.
The Association of Farmers further called on the government and relevant bodies to see how the effects of flooding can be managed, knowing that great losses have been recorded over the years due to flooding.
“Most times when these flooding occur we lose a lot of top soil which is a major ingredient for planting. We also lose our livestock and also our animals are exposed to infection due to the floods”, he stated.
Dike also commended the State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, for his interest in the agricultural industry, and for the commissioning of a Board of Directors to oversee the intended projects.
“We will like to appeal to the Ministry of Agriculture and other corporate bodies to be involved in promoting farming and food processing.
“The basic need of everybody is food, and if we can produce these foods, it will help in reducing crime”, he stated.
According to him, the level of criminal activities will be reduced if the price of commodities decreases across the State.
He also called on the State Government to pally with farmers of the state in order to know what their problems are, adding that Local Government Areas need to be equipped to be able to support farmers as most farming are done at the rural levels.
Iragunima Benice