Zero Hunger: Coordinator urges farmers to embrace modern farming
NAN-AE-12
Sensitisation
By Usman Aliyu
Ilorin, Oct. 28, 2016 (NAN) Dr Tunde Arosanyin, the National Coordinator, Zero Hunger Nigeria Commodity Association, has advised farmers to embrace organic farming in the production of consumable foods such as vegetables and fruits.
Arosanyin gave the advice in Ilorin on Friday during the Zero Hunger Nigeria Commodity Stakeholders’ Sensitisation Training Programme on Modern System of Farming.
The national coordinator asserted that organic farming had proved to be the best system of farming as a result of research that linked some cases of cancer to agro-chemicals.
He explained that organic farming was highly cost-effective and safe for farmer, claiming that the produce from the farming sells above products of inorganic in advanced nations of the world.
The former Kogi Chairman, All Farmers’ Association of Nigeria (AFAN), claimed that most of the chemicals used in inorganic farming had side effects in humans.
Arosanyin, who introduced the farmers at the forum to Agric-Zyme products, stated that the agro-company had partnered Zero Hunger Nigeria to ensure poverty is eradicated in the land through bumper harvest.
Speaking on “Food and Cash Crop Production: The Economic Values and Utilisation, “ Arosanyin expressed regret that Nigeria had allowed her population to be growing faster than her food production.
This, he said, was different from the practice in the 1970`s when a farmer could feed more than his family members because of abundance of food.
He stated that the huge amount spent annually on food importation was not acceptable to the country`s agricultural development.
“It is worrisome that more than half of the food items we consume in the country today come through importation.
“Whereas a country that imports food cannot said to be a sovereign nation.
“Nigeria is the highest producer of cassava in the world today, yet we cannot get what Brazil is getting from cassava sales, “ he said.
He identified decrease in farming population to neglect of agriculture by youths and the attendant increase in food prices in the country.
He stressed the need for farming to be made attractive to youths so as to increase the farming population in the country.
“Modern tools must be provided alongside other technology that can make farming attractive and profitable.
“Credit facilities in form of input supply from government to farmers through organised farmers’ association like commodity association and cooperatives should be introduced.
“Also, government must provide market for farm products at farm gate with a good profit margin, “ he said.
He, however, appealed to farmers to make good use of all government facilities and services so as to guarantee continuity of revolving loans. (NAN)
AUO/MOL/AFA
Edited by Mustapha Lamidi/Felix Ajide
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