Vox Pop
ENSURING food security has been the main focus of this administration with the ministry of agriculture establishing various policies to enable the country attain this goal. But some Nigerians believe that a lot needs to be done in terms of agricultural investment, technology, development of agro processing and value chain development to achieve that target, while others are of the opinion that government is on the right path in ensuring food security. Below are what some Nigerians think should be done to ensure food security.
Chukwudi Ogele, Marketer: I don’t think so because Nigerians are currently groaning under the weight of rising prices of food items. You need to go to the market to witness the daily increase in the prices of food items. Most Nigerians cannot afford two square meals daily because the country is facing serious food shortages.
Nwachukwu Basil, Retired Civil Servant: They are not doing anything. In Nigeria today, we are witnessing shortage of food because farming is left majorly to the old people. The young people do not want to engage in farming because they see it as the route to poverty. Even university graduates with background in agriculture would rather seek white colar jobs than look for a piece of land to practise what they spent four or five years in the tertiary institution to learn.
Adibe Daniel, Banker: I think this government is trying with all the programmes lined up by the ministry of agriculture to ensure food security in the country. But the problem now is the question of continuity of policies after this administration.
Nnaemaka Ogbonna, Businessman: Government should begin from empowering the farmers, providing loans, seeds and fertilisers before talking about food security. What are they securing while many Nigerians are dying of hunger every day? How many of them have access to funds, fertilisers and other facilities that would aid their productivity.
James Adebayo, Civil Servant: Most Nigerians do not know what food security is all about. But to me, when you say whether government is doing enough in ensuring food security, it means they are actually doing something. I believe food security means every Nigerian has access to required nutritious food in adequate quantity and at affordable prices. So from this, there is no food security in Nigeria.
Damian Chigozie, Marketer: I think government is doing its best. It should encourage the younger generation to embrace agriculture. The encouragement should come in terms of providing the necessary facilities for them to operate.
Compiled by Anayo Ezugwu
— May 13, 2013 @ 01:00 GMT
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