NAN-AE-6
Inputs
By Awayi Kuje
Keffi (Nasarawa), Oct. 16, 2017 (NAN) Some farmers in Nasarawa State on Monday urged the government to always distribute fertilisers and other farm inputs to farmers on time to aid the country’s efforts to achieve food security.
The farmers made the call in separate interviews with News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Keffi, just as the country marks the World Food Day.
They stressed that timely distribution of fertilisers to farmers would not only boost food production but would also fight hunger and boost the country’s revenue.
They also called for the provision of zero-interest loans to genuine farmers in order to boost agricultural production and achieve food sufficiency in the country.
One of the farmers, Mr Bulus John, said that the importance of early distribution of fertilisers to farmers could not be over-emphasised.
“If we must achieve food security in the country, government at all levels must distribute fertilisers and farm inputs to the farmers early enough.
“We are all aware that the late distribution of fertilisers and other farm inputs by the government has always affected agricultural production negatively.
“Also, one of the major problems facing farmers, especially rural farmers, is the lack of access to credit facilities.
“We, therefore, expect the government to give us soft loans so as to boost food production if we are serious about achieving food security in the country,” he said.
John said that no society could exist or survive without agriculture, as agriculture was the major source of livelihood to many families and nations, while its importance to the development of any society could not be over-emphasised.
Mr Mohammed Salihu, another farmer in Keffi, also complained that the late distribution of farm inputs had always affected crop cultivation, calling on the government to ensure early distribution of fertilisers and other inputs to farmers.
He said that that early distribution of fertilisers to farmers would boost food production and improve government’s revenue in the state and the country at large. (NAN)
AKW/COO/OOK
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Edited by Cecilia Odey and Dayo Komolafe