Agriculture simply means provision of food and rearing of animals. It’s important in human and national development cannot be over emphasized. Beside the provision of food and rearing of animals, agriculture creates job opportunities and provides foreign exchange.
A nation which down plays its agricultural sector is in no doubt heading towards a doom day. Before the discovery of crude oil in Nigeria, agriculture was the mainstay of the nation’s economy. There was an abundance of food production.
Since the exploration of crude oil begins in Nigeria, agriculture has been relegated to the background.
Farmers abandoned their farm lands in search of greener pastures in oil companies. Fishermen also left their traditional occupation to look for white collar jobs that are not in existence in urban centres and cities.
This has negative effect on the agricultural sector. Food become scare, while cost of living has done beyond the reach of the common man.
It is never too late. The agricultural sector needs to be resuscitated to boast food production and supply. A nation which cannot feed its citizenry is not fit to exist. Food is essential in the life of every individual.
Nigerian Government and relevant agencies should revisit their policies on agriculture to ensure the revitalization of the sector. Interest free loan should be given to farmers and fishermen to encourage them in their traditional occupations.
Young school leavers should be encouraged to go into farming; this can be done by giving them incentives such as housing allowances and other form of stipends.
These measures will no doubt reposition the agricultural sector which will in turn boast our foreign reserve and food security. ##
Damiete West
