Farmers in Nigeria, under the umbrella of
the All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN) have asked the government to ensure that climate change policies are favourable to them in 2023.
Dr Femi Oke, Chairman of AFAN, Lagos State Chapter and South-West Zone said that favourable policies and climate conditions will increase food production.
Oke, who made this known on Thursday as he discussed the association’s expectations for 2023 urged the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to work closely with the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and registered agricultural associations, including AFAN for more openness.
“Most of the programmes implemented by government are okay but when it comes to agriculture, we want the CBN to be autonomous, he said. “The CBN should not be dealing directly with farmers, the bank should work closely with the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and notable associations in the sector”.
Speaking further, he said, “the CBN should not be dealing with selected farmers only or based on commodities, every farmer needs government support and intervention,”. “We want the CBN to give more power to the Ministry of Agriculture so that they will work closely with them on government programmes and policies,”.
Oke also urged the Federal Government to create the Office of the Special Adviser to the President on Food Security to proffer solutions to the mirage of challenges confronting food security.
He said that the office of the special adviser on food security would address issues and policies regarding food shortage, inflation and availability food, among others.
“We also want the office to the Special Adviser to the President on food security to be created to reduce bottlenecks in the Ministry of Agriculture,’ he said. “The office of the food security will work directly with the presidency to address issues regarding food security we are having in the country.
Story was adapted from VON.
