16th October, 2017
The All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN) said on Monday that adopting genetic and air technologies in agriculture would help the country achieve food sufficiency and overall economic growth.
Alhaji Kabir Ibrahim, the National President of the association, said this at the National Agriculture Show and 2017 World Food Day celebration in Tudun Wada, Karu Local Government Area, Nasarawa State.
Ibrahim said that adopting genetic technology in agriculture had become necessary as a result of the increasing population of the country.
He said the technology would help evolve speed in agriculture and reduce drought, insects’ infestations and increase yields.
“Our current population calls for innovation. To be able to have food sufficiency, security and overall economic growth sustainable, we must deploy advanced technology,” he said.
The AFAN national president said the country should also embrace air technology and encourage the use of genetic engineering.
“This is to evolve speed, which will reduce drought, insect, introduce herbicides for pests and increase our yields. We must also adopt good agricultural practice to increase yields,’’ he added.
Ibrahim appealed to the Federal Government to create an enabling environment to guarantee farmers access to finance.
“I call on the government to please encourage farmers to be at the drivers’ seats in the implementation of its agricultural policies.
“That way, we will bring food to Nigeria, Africa and the world,’’ Ibrahim said.
The event was organised by the National Agricultural Foundation of Nigeria (NAFN) in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.