The Agricultural Society of Nigeria (ASN), has commended President Bola Tinubu for his recent declaration of state of emergency on food security.
ASN President, Professor Jude Mbanasor, in a media chat in Umuahia, said that the policy, if well implemented, had the potential to holistically address the challenges of food insecurity in Nigeria.
Prof. Mbanasor noted that getting it right with food security will also lead to economic development since both are intrinsically linked. In his words, “food is the essential thing Nigerians need , especially the vulnerable and the poor who constitute more than 70 percent of the population”
He however, added that for the policy to record a huge success, the Federal Government should involve his members and other stakeholders nationwide for its effective implementation. According to him, Agricultural Society of Nigeria as the umbrella body for all scientists in food and agricultural industry, had a critical role to play in the new policy.
He also acknowledged that the government’s plan to immediately release fertilizer and grains to farmers and households was in the right direction, but that sustainability could only be realistic through the inputs of agricultural scientists.
”First of all, I must commend President Tinubu for this timely intervention because food is the most essential thing Nigerians need at the moment. But our members who are experts scattered in all universities, Research Institutes and even informal sector are also needed to drive the programme”, Prof Mbanasor submitted.
Prof. Mbanasor announced that his society will discuss the policy at her 57th National Conference coming up in October 2023 at the Federal University of Lafia, Nasarawa State with the hope of submitting a position paper to the federal government in a bid to ensure smooth implementation of the project. He therefore urged the state governments to key into the project with a view to achieving the much needed food pricing, food security and food sustainability.
