By Abigael Joshua
A former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, has called for significant investment in agriculture to ensure food security in Nigeria.
Amaechi, who is also a former Governor of Rivers State, made the call during a visit to Maraba Gaate Settlement Farm Gate in Nasarawa State on Tuesday.
He also called for a change in the farming system to embrace modern technology and mechanised methods instead of continuing with traditional, low-yield agriculture.
He said that the focus on farming was aimed at enhancing food production, reducing dependence on imports and creating jobs.
“The best way to fight insecurity in the country is to invest in agriculture,” he said.
Amaechi emphasises transitioning from subsistence to modern, mechanised agricultural practices to boost economic growth and tackle food insecurity.
He expressed satisfaction with what he saw on the farm and called for more commitment in the project.
He pledged to invest in agriculture and replicate what he did at the Songhai farms in Rivers when he was the governor.
Also speaking, Mr Retson Tedheke, the Sarkin Yakin Ga’ate and Managing Director of the Nigeria Farmers’ Group & Cooperative Society Farm Estate, said his aim was to establish a farming community estate through which Nigeria could attain food security.
He advocated what he described as economic democracy, saying that it empowered Nigerians’ capacity to be productive for national development.
“We don’t need to import food to feed our people in the country, I often say that there is no issue of insecurity in the country. If we take care of the economy of the country we won’t have to deal with insecurity.
“As long as Nigeria imports what we can produce, it means we are giving room to insecurity,” he said.
Tedheke expressed optimism over Amaechi’s visit to the farm, saying that the partnership would go a long way in addressing unemployment in the community.
He urged the government to concentrate on feeding Nigerians so as to curb insecurity in the country.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the farm spans about 1,000 hectares and has been in operation for nearly a decade.
The project includes housing, healthcare and schools for workers, and employs over 500 people.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Sadiya Hamza
