In commemoration of the World Hunger Day, the Nigerian farmers have called on the Federal Government to assist the agricultural sector through funding and sound policies.
According to the World Food Programme, in a world where enough food is produced to feed everyone, 821 million people – one in nine of the world population – still go to bed on an empty stomach each night.
World Hunger day is celebrated on May 28 every year. It was launched by The Hunger Project in 2011.
It is aimed to inspire people all over the world to show their solidarity and support for the women, men and children who are ending their hunger and poverty.
In a bid to mark this day, online medium, Premium Times spoke with some farmers on how they can support the need for more food to be available for the hungry.
Many of the farmers advised President Muhammadu Buhari to assist the agricultural sector through funding and sound policies.
A farmer, Mary Isiaya, said the Nigerian government has failed to invest substantially in the small scale farmers who provide food for the nation.
She accused the government of investing in the ‘established’ farmers who export their produce to other countries.
Ms Isiaya also said farmers in Nigeria are faced with the challenge of inadequate information from the government.
“We did not hear of climate change; we did not know the rains will come early and leave early. Most farmers have cultivated and will end up losing their produce,” she said.
She said the produce from the small scale farmers is very little because ”they lack inputs from the government.”
”They sell at cost price and are left with little or nothing for the next farming season,” she said.
The Managing Director, A&D Integrated Farms, Abdullahi Bello, also urged President Buhari to give more priority to agriculture ”to ensure the eradication of poverty and hunger in the country.”
He said that federal, states and local governments need to put in more funds into agriculture for local consumption and exportation.
