By Fatima Muraina
The Administrative Secretary of the Ondo State Agricultural Input Supply Agency, AISA, Dr. Michael Omoseyin, has urged Nigerians to embrace homestead farming as a practical solution to the prevailing food crisis occasioned by the country’s economic challenges.
Dr Omoseyin made the call in an interview with THE HOPE in Akure, the Ondo State capital.
He stressed that homestead farming remains one of the most effective ways for households to cushion the effects of the current economic hardship and improve food security.
He explained that every household could cultivate crops such as vegetables, peppers and tomatoes within available spaces around their homes, while those without access to farmland could adopt sack farming.
He said, “I cultivate vegetables, including green leafy vegetables, peppers and tomatoes, around my compound. I also rear a few chickens. This has significantly reduced my family’s food expenses, as I hardly need to buy some food items. Those without access to land can also practise sack farming and still produce food for their households.”
Dr Omoseyin advised Nigerians not to depend solely on government intervention, stressing that citizens must also take deliberate steps to improve their food production and support their families.
He urged residents to take advantage of the ongoing rainy season by cultivating crops within their immediate environment to ensure sustainable food production.
The AISA administrative secretary, however, appealed to the government to expedite action on the provision of agricultural inputs and agrochemicals to farmers to enhance food production and address food insecurity.
He noted that agriculture is seasonal, stressing that delays in the supply of essential farm inputs could adversely affect crop production.
He said, “It is important to prioritise agriculture and ensure that farmers receive the necessary inputs at the appropriate time. Agriculture is time-sensitive and interventions are most effective when they are delivered during the planting season.”