Why export yams?

IN June this year, Chief Audu Ogbeh, the Minister of Agriculture, announced that the Federal Government was contemplating exporting yams.

According to the minister, the country has sufficient yams for local consumption and much to export to other countries of the world. I was astounded by this statement for obvious reasons.

We have not got sufficient yams for local consumption. And we may experience scarcity of cassava roots if care is not taken. I expect the government to demonstrate its sincerity about helping farmers through adequate funding. It should grant them loans at low interest rates and provide farm implements, roads, rails, waterways and air services for easier transportation of produce by farmers.

Why not provide things like tractors, harvesting machines and fertiliser free of charge in order to enhance food production? Why not add value to locally produced yams? This will be found helpful, as Nigeria will have sufficient to provide for its people and much to preserve.

In conclusion, my advice is that the Federal Government should shelve the idea of exporting yams and face squarely, the problems confronting agriculture in the country. It should find ways and means of overcoming them.

• Ola–Olaniyi Bamigbola,

Ibadan, Oyo State.