Farmers in Nigeria
By Doris Esa
The Food Growers Association of Nigeria (FOGAN) says it will train grassroots farmers in modern farming techniques and support them with modern equipment to boost productivity.
Mr Joseph Owolabi, its National President, disclosed this at a news conference on Monday in Abuja.
Owolabi said that the farmers would be trained in the use of modern equipment like tractors, harvesters, sprayers, among others.
We intend to tutor the grassroot farmers on planting crops suitable for their environment to achieve bountiful harvest. Well do that in collaboration with the Nigeria Institute of Soil Science.
We shall also provide silos to store perishable or non-perishable crops in all the 774 local governments, he said.
Owolabi said that the association would equally initiate measures aimed at preserving and protecting the interest of the members.
FOGAN is set to bring unemployed youth to the farm, not just as subsistence farmers, but as business men or women out to engage in money spinning ventures.
FOGAN will provide fertilisers, insecticide and seedlings at affordable prices to members nationwide.
We shall partner with the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development to provide sprayers, seedling, tractors and other equipment at affordable rates, he said.
He said that the association would increase its membership from three million as at the last planting season, to 10 million before the year 2022 planting season.
This will lead to increase in the countrys GDP above what is obtained in the oil and gas industry. All hands must be on deck to make this a reality.
Owolabi said that the association would partner with the Federal, State and Local Governments to bring majority of the youth interested in farming to do it as agro business.
Agro business is more lucrative than politics, banking and civil services. We want our youth to realise this by year 2023.
President Muhammadu Buhari has made agriculture a main stay of the economy. We must key into this, he said. (NAN)
Source: NAN News