By Fatima Muraina
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President-elect of Nigeria, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu has been urged to focus majorly on Agriculture with a view to turning the economy of the nation around.
The Vice President, South West of Poultry Association of Nigeria PAN, Mr Gideon Oluleye gave the advice in an interview yesterday with The Hope in Akure, the Ondo state capital.
Oluleye described agriculture as a sector that can boost Nigeria’s economy saying that a concerted plan be made in such area adding, that it would also enhance food security.
” Over the years, government has been paying lip service to agriculture.
“Loans were not made available to the real farmers, and even where available, farmers cannot meet the requirement of obtaining such loans.
“Those conditions should be broken down to make it easy for every farmer to obtain loan to expand their farms and encourage intending farmers into the sector,
” How would you describe a nation that cannot feed itself?
“Number one key thing is the ability to feed ourselves which will improve our economy
” Government should focus on providing funding for agricultural sector and should not forget to intervene in the area of grant and cushioning the effects of the galloping inflation, particularly the poultry sector”, he stated.
He pleaded with the president when sworn-in, to intervene in what he called the critical commodity in poultry sector so that Nigerians can feed themselves and make available the required protein for both old and young
He, however, recommended, that government should urgently raise a team that would ensure that farmers have unhindered access to loans which would enable them expand their farms .
