NAN-H-15
Agriculture
Chinyere Bassey
Lagos, Nov. 29, 2017 (NAN)The Agriculture and Allied Employees Union of Nigeria has charged the Federal Government to take the agriculture sector seriously to harness the potential of the sector.
The President of the union, Mr Simon Anchaver, made the call on Wednesday in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos.
He said the inability of the Federal Government to exploit the potential of the sector had raised fears of foreigners making moves to take over the sector.
Anchaver listed many challenges plaguing farmers in Nigeria, citing poor financing and non-payment of hazards allowances to agricultural workers.
He argued that the only way for agriculture to generate desired revenue as obtained in the oil and gas sector was for measures to be introduced to motivate farmers.
“Famers must have access to loans. Government policies for the sector should be translated into reality and not only on paper. Farmers want to feel the impact of government policies.
“If the government does not pay attention to issues facing Nigerian farmers, foreigners will take over the sector in no time,’’ Anchaver said.
He stressed the need for government to set up a monitoring body to ensure that loans approved for farmers were given to the farmers.
According to him, the International Labour Organisation recognises agriculture as one of the hazardous jobs that should receive allowances from government.
He said that fertilisers should be provided all year round for farmers to do farming every season. (NAN)
CHIN/GOM/SN
============
Edited by Gregory Mmaduakolam/Silas Nwoha