By Adadareporters
Professor Chinedum Nwajiuba, former vice-chancellor, Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu-Alike, has advised NdÃgbo to embrace farming to be able to survive the present hardship in the country.
Nwajiuba, in a mail sent to our correspondent in Owerri on Monday, stated that, “Things are getting tough and likely to worsen with the economy very soon. You may say things are difficult already, but what is coming may be much worse than what we see now.
“Everyone should to try to grow some food, no matter how little. Prices of everything is rising extremely fast. At this moment, what is within our control and what we can do something about is: all-hands-on-deck; farm! Let us grow as much food as we can so at least hunger does not worsen our situation more than the case now.
“Mobilise all farming inputs. Those who can afford it, please support our people with inputs and tools. Governments should mobilise ministries of agriculture for sensitisation and other extension services. Use the radio, TV, and other media to sensitise our people to farm.
“Our people have abandoned farming. We have been relying on food from Northern Nigeria – cassava, yam, tomatoes, potato, onions, cucumber, pepper, etc. Today, the insecurity in Northern Nigeria is disrupting agriculture. In many places in Northern Nigeria, people can no longer farm. The likelihood of the insecurity in Northern Nigeria reducing is not clear.
“In fact, there are predictions that it will worsen with more crises happening in the countries north of Nigeria, such as Niger, Chad, Mali, and Burkina Faso, as the peacekeepers enforcing security in those countries are withdrawing. This will likely worsen the situation in Northern Nigeria.
“Unfortunately, our governments seem not to realise this, and the local support for farming, such as the Agricultural Development Programmes (ADPs) of the past, has collapsed. When you also consider the rising cost of transportation, as petrol and diesel become more expensive, the cost of living is higher than what most of our people can cope with. The local insecurity within Igboland worsens this.
“But we cannot leave our destinies in anyone’s hands. We must take our destinies into our own hands. The era of laziness and idleness and no farming should be over. Young men loitering around and hanging around beer parlours and pool betting centres should please have a change of mind.
“The message is simple: things are likely to be more difficult. Prices of everything, including rice and bread, will rise significantly in the coming months. Hunger will bring more insecurity.”
