NAN-AE-3
Farming
Shonga (Kwara), March 6, 2017 (NAN) The Emir of Shonga, Dr Haliru Yahaya, on Monday urged traditional rulers across the country to mobilise their subjects to engage in large-scale farming.
The emir made the call while speaking with News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Shonga, Edu Local Government Area of Kwara.
Yahaya said that large-scale farming would enable the people to overcome the effects of the current economic recession in the country.
He, however, blamed past administrations for neglecting the agriculture sector, which used to be the country’s major source of foreign exchange earnings in the past.
Besides, the traditional ruler urged government at all levels to exploit the abundant resources in the mining and solid minerals sector in efforts to improve the country’s economy.
Yahaya said that the economic recession was a blessing in disguise, adding that it should compel the government to look into practical ways of diversifying and developing the economy.
“There is a need for all traditional rulers to mobilise their subjects, particularly the youths, to return to farming, instead of looking for greener pastures that are no longer visible,’’ he said.
The emir urged the government to support the farmers with incentives and training in modern farming techniques so as to enable them to embark on mechanised, large-scale farming. (NAN)
AUO/ADA/OOK
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Edited by Deji Abdulwahab and Dayo Komolafe