The Ondo State Government has been called upon to subsidise agricultural inputs for farmers to ensure food surplus in the state.
The President, Ondo State Farmers’ Congress, Mr Abayomi Monilari, made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Akure.
Monilari noted that food security must be guaranteed by government at all levels.
According to him, I want to plead with individuals, stakeholders and the government, that for us not to go begging, we should do everything possible to encourage farmers and farming in this part of the nation.
”The government should be able to assist farmers with agricultural inputs at subsidised rates. I’m not saying that they should be given free, but they should be subsidised.
”There is no country in the world that doesn’t subsidise agriculture. We can replicate the same thing by making agriculture viable in our country.
”God so much loves this country, especially Ondothat I think we have all the vegetation in the country present in Ondo.
”So there’s no time we can’t do our farming activities. God has so much endowed us with several rivers and streams that we can use during the dry season. Our soil is so fertile. The government should assist us.”
Monilari also asked well-meaning individuals to show interest in agricultural activities and help agriculture to grow in the state.
”If you have the money and you are interested in farming and you don’t know how to get by, come, we will help you.
”We have lots of plans. If the government should come to our aid and work with us, collaborate with us, we will make headway,” he said.
He urged government at all levels to prioritise agriculture saying that agriculture should not be politicised.
