Nigerian farmers under the auspices of the Community Allied Farmers Association of Nigeria (COMAFAS) have made known their commitment to making Nigeria a self-sufficient agrarian nation.
According to the farmers, this is necessary as feeding the expanded global population nutritiously and sustainably will require substantial improvements to the global food system worldwide.
The President of the Association, Dr Austine Maduka, during the ongoing 5th Nigeria International Agriculture Expo with the theme ‘Rethinking Paradigm Shift in Agriculture Initiative to Improve Yield, And Achieve Food Security in Nigeria’ said the conference will generate new ideas, innovations and strategies to address the challenges growers, processors and marketers face in other to engender economic growth and development in the country.
He noted that the main challenge will be how to produce more food with the same or fewer resources and waste less as food security has four dimensions which include food availability, food access, food use and quality, and food stability.
Maduka further stated that quality and healthy food is the only thing that can help match all these pressing constraints worldwide due to its highly diverse distribution pattern, and its current cultivation and demand, particularly in developing countries with high levels of poverty, hunger, and malnutrition.
“Our relentless pursuit of agricultural excellence and empowerment has not only propelled our organization to national prominence but has also become a beacon of hope and transformation in the agricultural landscape of Nigeria.
“The recent collaboration with the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to empower 150 youths in the Federal Capital Territory and Bauchi State in poultry and fishery farming stands as proof of our innovative and collaborative approach towards agricultural development and youth empowerment.
“This ECOWAS partnership is but a glittering speck in the galaxy of your remarkable achievements. Our foresight is further demonstrated in the ongoing negotiations with a Venture Capital organization to secure a credit line at an astonishingly favorable interest rate of 2%.
“This initiative not only heralds a new dawn of financial empowerment for our farmers but is also a reflection of our adeptness in fostering beneficial partnerships. The proactive steps towards establishing a rapport with the Governors of Ogun and Lagos State, the government of Thailand, business partners from India for Sesame export, and Chinese entrepreneurs for the Cassava value chain, underscore our global outlook and the boundless possibilities it heralds for our farmers and the nation.
“Our strategic engagements are not mere transactions, but a series of well-orchestrated moves towards making Nigeria a self-sufficient agrarian nation, with COMAFAS at the forefront.
“The ripple effect of these ventures resonates beyond the shores of Nigeria, positioning us as a significant player in the global agricultural domain. Our leadership is not just about charting a course; it’s about creating a legacy of empowerment, innovation, and sustainable agricultural practices in line with international best practices and Good Agricultural Practices (GAP),” Maduka added.
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