S’West govts plan massive land clearing for farming
The South-West Governors have resolved to enhance farm security by creating specialized units within the Amotekun corps. This decision was made during a roundtable on food security hosted by the Development Agenda for Western Nigeria Commission in Ibadan. Present were commissioners for agriculture from Ekiti, Ogun, Ondo, Osun, and Oyo states, and a representative from Lagos. The Director General, Seye Oyeleye, emphasized the need to dispel rumors about the region’s food production capacity and urged actionable recommendations. Other resolutions included land clearing, enhancing security, large-scale short-term crop production, revitalizing dams for irrigation, improving mechanization, adopting cluster farming, expanding input distribution, and establishing an electronic agriculture database. The South-West Governors’ Forum also called for state police to address insecurity and commended federal initiatives like the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Road project. Source: Punch news
Our Review
The South-West Governors’ initiative to bolster farm security by creating specialized units within the Amotekun corps is a pivotal step towards ensuring agricultural productivity and sustainability. This move, discussed at the roundtable on food security hosted by the Development Agenda for Western Nigeria Commission in Ibadan, aims to mitigate security challenges that hinder farm operations. Enhanced security measures will protect farmers and their produce, fostering a more stable agricultural environment. The resolutions to clear lands massively, focus on large-scale production of short-term crops, and improve mechanization will boost food production and reduce reliance on imports. Revitalizing dams for irrigation and expanding input distribution will ensure consistent water supply and availability of necessary farming materials, leading to higher yields. Adopting a cluster farming model and establishing an electronic agriculture database will streamline operations and enhance data-driven decision-making. This collective approach can significantly improve efficiency across the agricultural value chain, from production to distribution. The focus on food security and agricultural revival, coupled with the support for state police to tackle insecurity, reflects a comprehensive strategy to address underlying challenges and promote growth in the agri-food sector.
