Media practitioners under the umbrella of the Agriculture Correspondents Association of Nigeria (ACAN) have called on the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security to implement policies that address the challenges of food insecurity in Nigeria.
According to them, since President Bola Tinubu declared an emergency on agriculture and food sector prices of farm produce continue to rise.
The Association therefore called on the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security to swing into positive actions in order to meet the target of making the country self-sufficient in food production.
They said, “This would reduce the cost of food commodities and the current hardship Nigerians face.”
The association in a statement signed by its Chairman, Mr. Collins Nnabuife Wednesday in Abuja, ACAN said the government should immediately make moves to end the food insecurity in the country.
According to him, “The government should facilitate better market access for farmers and promote value addition along the agricultural value chain. Creating avenues for farmers to access local and international markets will not only increase income for farmers but also position Nigeria as a key player in the global agricultural market.
“There should be advocates for policy reforms that address challenges such as land tenure, trade barriers, and regulatory bottlenecks, fostering an enabling environment for agricultural growth.
“There is a need for immediate youth inclusion and programs that attract and engage youth in agriculture through training, mentorship, and incentives to revitalize the sector and address the aging farming population.
“The Ministries of agriculture both at the Federal and state levels should evolve stakeholder collaboration, to spur inclusive participation among stakeholders, including government agencies, private sector players, and civil society organizations, to ensure a holistic and coordinated approach towards agricultural development.
“Nigeria should also give adequate attention to programs that prioritize climate-smart agricultural practices to enhance resilience to climate change, mitigate risks, and ensure sustainable agricultural practices”, Nnabuife opined.
