As the country is set to embark on the planting season, the Emir of Keffi in Nasarawa State, Dr. Shehu Chindo Yamusa III, has urged governments at all levels to provide subsidies to farmers.
Dr. Shehu made the appeal in Keffi, yesterday while speaking with journalists in his palace, shortly after he observed the Eid-el-Fitr prayers at the town’s main Eid ground.
According to the monarch, there would be surplus foodstuffs in the nation’s markets and enough produce for export if the government gives subsidies to farmers.
However, he urged farmers to take advantage of the current rainy season and return to farms, adding that various security agencies should also ensure the safety of farmers on their farms.
His words: “I will request the government at all levels to support the farmers.
“The subsidy in the agricultural sector should go to the farmers directly so that it will encourage them to produce enough foodstuffs for both domestic consumption and for export.
“It is when support is given to farmers that they would be motivated to put in their best.
“Without the required support, farmers will find it difficult to produce as expected because farming is not an easy job.
“We also need the government to provide extension services that it used to have in those days. Extension services used to help the farmers to provide high-yielding farm produce at the end of the year.”
He added: “I wish to call on farmers and all those leading their association to seize the opportunity of the rainy season effectively so that we could get plenty of farm produce during the harvest.
“Government should also concentrate on education because if our schools are supported very well, there is no need for our children to travel abroad for education.
“They would be able to go to school here because we have enough competent and qualified lecturers in this country, who would put in their best if they are well motivated.
“We would also want the government at all levels to support the private sector to invest in education because the government cannot do it alone.
“They will also need to work in the private sector. Government must relax some laws for the private sector to expand. This would bring about employment opportunities for the graduates.”
Nigerians, the Emir urged, to abide by the rule of law so that there would be peace, progress and development in the country.
“We must also respect and pray for our leaders so that they can lead us right. If we curse them, they will go astray and their entire country will face hardship.
“We should exercise patience and hope that in a few months to come, things will be easy and everything will go the way it used to be,” he added.