By Paul Efiong, Abuja
The Lead Director, Centre for Social Justice (CSJ) , Mr. Eze Onyekpere has call on Govt at all level to find a way of protecting farmers in other to insure food security in Nigeria.
Speaking during the opening of a one day workshop on budget Analysis in various level of Government for Agric sector , Advocacy and Training for Small scale women farmers organization in Nigeria (SWOFON) organised by CSJ with support from the International Budget yesterday in Abuja.
According to him; “the security situation is worrisome where farmers cannot asses their farms without being attack so Govt most critically look at this problems so that we can have food security in our land , we must also look at the budget provision for women farmers and agricultural sector as a whole and after budget are passed, the Finance authorities must insure the releases promptly, so as a people we have a lot to do in form of advocacy, Government also has to creat industries in conjuction with the private sector that will drive the value chains of what the farmers are producing”, Eze said.
The National President of SWOFON, Mrs Mary Ishaya call on govt to increase the budget allocation for women farmers which according to her has the highest numbers of small scall farmers.
“Women are ready and are able to feed the country even for export with assistant from government through mechanisation. many of our members also lost their produce because of Natural disasters like flood and we are calling on Authorities to come to our aids. she appreciated the effort of the Federal government in this regards and urge them to invest more in SWOFON”.
