In an effort to alleviate hardship and combat rising insecurity, Hon. Fatoba Olusola Steve, representing Ado Ekiti- Irepodun/Ifelodun Ekiti Central Federal Constituency 1, has called on state governments nationwide to increase investment in agriculture.
The Chairman of the House Committee on Information, National Orientation, Ethics, and Values made his remarks while speaking with journalists in Ado Ekiti.
He attributed the current food shortage to insecurity in some parts of the country and stressed the importance of Nigeria achieving self-sufficiency in feeding its population. Fatoba pointed out that despite having less fertile soil, some countries are able to feed themselves and even export surplus produce.
“Nigeria should be able to feed its population,” he said. “There’s a popular Yoruba adage that says ‘When hunger, a major part of poverty, is addressed, the challenge of poverty itself is solved.'”
“Some countries with less fertile soil are feeding themselves with their agricultural produce and even have enough to export for foreign exchange,” Fatoba continued. “Even a country like Ukraine, despite being at war with Russia, is still exporting wheat. We too can grow wheat in Nigeria. There’s no crop that can’t grow on our soil, but it all depends on the willingness of the people and the government.”
Fatoba urged state governments to prioritize agriculture and view farming as a serious business. He emphasized that significant investment in the agricultural sector is crucial for national development.
