President Muhammadu Buhari has observed that farmers have led the country to the food self-sufficiency “we now enjoy” and in the process “saving us billions of dollars yearly, which would have been spent on food importation.’’
He made the assertion in a message to farmers on the occasion of Farmers’ Day celebrated Saturday in Obie, Rivers State, by Nigerian Agip Oil Company.
According to a statement issued by Femi Adesina, Special Adviser to the President (Media and Publicity) in Abuja on Saturday, the president added that such funds “are now deployed to other developmental projects, particularly infrastructure.”
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Celebrating farmers further, President Buhari describes them as “our authentic heroes, not only for today but for tomorrow and evermore.”
According to the president, “as of 2015, our economy was in such perilous state, with oil prices crashing internationally, and so many challenges nationally and locally. In fact, our country was in a desperate state.
“We then decided to put the modest resources we had where our mouth was. We focused on agriculture, and God heard our prayers. And we got good returns from our investments.
“We appealed to Nigerians to return to the land, and take up farming seriously again. They heeded our call, and have not regretted it since then. The theme of this Farmers’ Day is ‘Farm and Fortune’ and I must say that it is a well thought out theme.
“Farming has brought fortune to millions of Nigerians who embraced it, as it has turned around their social and economic status. We should never forget: the real wealth of our country lies primarily in farming, livestock, foresting and fisheries.
“Farmers are now among very well to do Nigerians. They can cater for their families, meet other existential needs, and even embark on various capital projects.
“Above all, farmers have led the country to the food self-sufficiency we now enjoy, saving us billions of dollars yearly, which would have been spent on food importation. Such funds are now deployed to other developmental projects, particularly infrastructure.
“It is gratifying that farmers have responded positively to initiatives by the government to empower and strengthen their hands. Through the Central Bank of Nigeria, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, the fertilizer initiative, and many others, the government gives supports to our farmers, and you have responded positively, to the good of our country.”
Buhari commended the Nigerian Agip Oil Company for organizing this Farmers’ Day, something, he observed, the company has done consistently for 30 years.
“In its own way, Agip has empowered, encouraged and celebrated farmers in 300 host communities in Rivers, Bayelsa, Delta and the Imo States,” he added.
and then