A U.S.-based Nigerian don, Prof. Abiodun Raufu, has called on President Bola Tinubu to declare a state of emergency in the agricultural sector and fashion out an innovative policy that would ensure food sufficiency in Nigeria.
Raufu, an Assistant Professor at Southern University and A&M College in Louisiana, USA, made the call in a statement issued on Thursday.
While speaking on how Nigeria can overcome food shortages and depend less on importation, he called for an innovative means of addressing the situation.
Raufu, a former editor of Nigerian Tribune, said that the current situation in the country might escalate, if not urgently addressed.
He, however, lauded the decision by the Federal Government to engage in massive food importation, though he said that this should be a stop-gap measure.
According to him, a state of emergency in agriculture will allow for the mobilisation of resources and enable the government to implement swift and comprehensive measures to address the immediate needs of farmers.
“It will also help to restore damaged farmlands, improve security in the rural areas and introduce modern agricultural practices that can withstand future challenges,” he said.
Raufu stated further that tackling the challenges of food security was a task that required the involvement of all Nigerians, beginning with the country’s Number One family.
The don lauded the First Lady, Mrs Remi Tinubu, for taking the bull by the horns, having shown Nigerians her farm.
“The symbolism associated with the president also engaging in some sort of farming in his spare time is capable of encouraging Nigerians to embrace agriculture at different levels,” he said.
Raufu stressed the need for Nigerians to engage in backyard farming in this difficult period particularly, at this time of the year when rain is in abundance and for a country like Nigeria with a large expanse of fertile land.
“With the right agricultural policies and leadership, we should be talking about preservation of excess agricultural produce and its exportation.
“Since difficult times require unusual solutions, I will suggest that political leaders at all levels should also lead by example by engaging in some level of farming.
“This, I believe, will encourage people to join in warding off the hunger and starvation that the majority of Nigerians are currently experiencing,” he said.
The don advised governments at all levels to tackle food insecurity with a multi-faceted approach, using the local government authorities as the pivot for agricultural revolution.
“If they can invest in farm machinery, rural development and massive introduction of high-yield seeds, among others, there will be food sufficiency in the country.
