Agriculture revamp, key to South-West development agenda

We thank God that the 2018 general election has been conducted. I believe that present and incoming Governors should as matter of urgent priority fully set in motion all activities that can enhance and engender agricultural development in the south west. This is because presently agriculture is the best option to achieve food sufficiency and provision of employment for our teeming youth population.

Imagine when Boko Haram took total control of the North East that paralyzed their economic activities thus greatly affected the supply of food to the south west; it led to scarcity of food, rise in food prices and reduction in consumption level of our people.

Indeed, this is another avenue to remind our Governor that unless adequate provision of food sufficiency are in place, any insurgency in the Northern region that supply food to other parts of the country will affect the Southern part of the country.

• Nigeria to produce agricultural machinery soon ― FG

In term of geographical location, we are blessed and favorable to practice agriculture. This is our strength that we must use to the fullest. The state government’s candid support and encouragement is germane to this noble cause. The government support must take cognizance of making the teaching and practice of agriculture compulsory right from the elementary school to the tertiary level. The song “ise agbe ni ise ile wa “as we used to sing in those days must be compulsory in all government and private owned schools.

Government should as a matter of urgency open up the feeder roads to ease the transportation of agricultural product, provide loan to interested  farmers, provide rural electrification,   massive agricultural input , and create awareness on the need to go back to farming.

Most importantly, the development agenda for Western Nigeria commission (DAWN) should offer intervention support and help to promote this cause.

Above all, we must remind ourselves that agriculture is the mainstay of the Nigeria economy in the 60s under the supervision of the three regional governments. As such, it is not too late to go back to the drawing board and consider agriculture as another means of livelihood.

Olanipekun Taiwo,

Lagos.