Group calls for more investments in agric

The Yoruba Leaders of Thought, an influential group from the South-West region, issued a clarion call on Thursday for the federal and state governments to ramp up funding for agricultural development, aiming to ensure Nigeria’s food security and independence.

Bayo Aina, National Secretary of the Yoruba Leaders of Thought, made the appeal on Thursday while addressing journalists in Ado Ekiti, amidst the ongoing nationwide protests against hunger.

Aina said, “The government is already coming out with unprecedented steps. It will take time before we all begin to realise all the appropriate steps. A lot of states are already investing in agriculture. When we talk about food security, there are two sides to the idea of food – the farmer and the middlemen.

“Those benefitting from the high prices of food will not want the prices to go down, but the government and those of us who buy food desire cheaper food and great accessibility to food. So, if we leave production in the hands of those who benefit from high prices, we will not solve the problem.

“The governments are encouraged to assist in boosting the available food resources. The governments at both state and federal levels are already addressing that.”

Aina hailed the Tinubu administration for ensuring fiscal autonomy for local governments, describing it as “a step in a very good direction because local governments will now be able to address the needs of their localities instead of having those interests determined from the state level.”