Low productivity, High Cost Of Logistics Militating Against Food Security – Tedheke

An Agriculturalist, Mr. Retson Tedheke has attributed low productivity and high cost of logistics as the factors militating against food security across the country.

Mr.Tedheke stated this while Featuring on “PERSPECTIVE” a Kapital FM Current Affairs Programme in Abuja.

Speaking on the topic “Assisting Farmers for the 2024 farming season” Mr. Tedheke called on government for a support structure by making quality fertilizer available for Farmers.

Mr.Tedheke who is the President of the NFGCS FARMS called for increased support from the Federal Government to enable farmers to engage in massive food production across the country.

He said that efforts should also be made by all Agricultural stakeholders to facilitate produce transportation to markets noting that foodstuffs like rice, garri and fish, for instance, should be purchased directly from local farmers, rather than relying on food imports.

“Improved agricultural production will serve as a basis for poverty alleviation, particularly in the rural areas,’ “No doubt, this will show the seriousness of the government in efforts to revive the agricultural sector and boost the nation’s economy” he emphasized.

Tedheke who stressed that Improved agricultural production will serve as a basis for poverty alleviation, particularly in the rural areas added that factors like irrigation farming schemes, availability of farmers groups, existence of favourable policies and strategies, among others, would also boost agricultural production, if they are well-harnessed and effectively utilised.

Another guest on the programme and President, Catfish Farmers, Mr. Sunday Onoja appealed to the Federal government to look inward by putting things right to enable farmers grow food for the nation.

Mr. Onoja who appealed to the government to bring the interest of youths back to farming added that many of them have abandoned farming and taken up other occupations.

According to him, the career switch might negatively affect food production in the coming years noting that in spite of the existing challenges, the agricultural sector still had a number of opportunities which could be further exploited by the youths.

Mr. Onoja bemoaned the challenges currently facing Nigerian farmers despite the importance which the government had attached to agriculture in its efforts to revive the country’s economy.

The President of the Catfish farmers stressed that the government should put in place pragmatic mechanisms to purchase food commodities such as rice, garri and fish, among others, directly from local farmers, rather than importing those commodities from other countries.

“Certainly, government is slow in making efforts to help farmers out in achieving their dream of making the country a self-sufficient nation in food production,’’ he said.

Mr. Onoja therefore urged the Federal government to put in place adequate mechanisms that will encourage individuals to grow crops in their vicinity for the production of food in every home.

By Georgina Humphrey, Edited By Grace Namiji