Yemisi Izuora
The president of All Farmers Association of Nigerian (AFAN), Alhaji Farouk Rabiu Mudi, has called for a policy direction that will help boost food security in Nigeria.
Mudi said such policy has become imperative to ensure peace and security in the country.
Speaking at the three day General Assembly of Farmers (GAF 2021),
in Kano, the president urged for a stronger collaboration between Federal and state
governments with security agencies to develop mechanisms and organize dialogues, in order to identify those sponsoring insurgency and banditry for prosecution and appropriate punishments.
He advised State Governments to take primary responsibility for agricultural
development in their respective jurisdictions, while the Federal Government
intervenes within the constitutional boundaries set for it in the area of
“agricultural research, promotion and financing” only and the adoption of food
as a fundamental right of the people together with legal baking for its
implementation.
Mudi appealed to government to encourage and support ranch
system of livestock production in order to improve the livelihood of rural
farmers.
The National President cited some few achievements, he recorded while serving as caretaker President which are, establishment of headquarters, distribution of farm inputs to the tune of N100 million, establishment of Microfinance; partnership with Chinese firm to invest billions of dollars in farming in Nigeria.
Also speaking, the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Alhaji Muhammad
Sabo Nanono, who congratulated the elected National President Mudi, assured him
of the support of his ministry, to make sure he succeed.
The Minister said that government have good plans for Nigeria farmers, because of the important role they played in the country and appealed to Mudi to be focused as the farmers national leader.
Mudi, also commended the Minister for his tremendous achievements and his supports to the farmers.
Commending the farmers at the well-attended GAF 2021, Mudi, said that it became necessary actions for Nigeria to achieve Food security within secured environment.
The National President, further said: “Going by its mandate, AFAN is instrumental to effective delivery of farmer support by government over the years, whereby its policy advocacy and influencing roles are germane to greater availability, accessibility and affordability of farm inputs to its members.
There is therefore the need for Governments at all levels to partner with AFAN more closely for effective delivery of farmer support services in Nigeria.
Chairman of Board of Trustees (BOT), AFAN, Admiral Murtala Nyako
(Rtd), represented by Senator Bello Jubril Gada, commended Mudi as an
achiever and a hardworking man who will revive the group from redundancy to
activeness.
The newly elected AFAN executive members are, Deputy National
President 1, Prince Olisegun Dasolu (Ogun), Deputy National President
2, Com. Confidence Mac-Eteli (Bayelsa), National General Secretary, Mr. Yunusa Halidu (FCT), Assistant National Secretary, John Oluwoye Olatero (Oyo) and
National Treasurer, Alhaji Adebayo Hammed Ayodele (Kwara), as well as others.