Rising food prices: Declare state of emergency, expert tells FG

An enterpreneur, Ms Abimbola Adeyemi has called on the Federal Government to declare a state of emergency in agriculture to address the increasing prices of food items.

Adeyemi, who is the Chief Executive Officer of Crown Fit Cocktails and More, said it was regrettable that Nigeria despite being blessed with vast arable land and human resources can no longer feed itself.

Adeyemi spoke while declaring open the third edition of the Crown fit food and beverages exhibition, held in Abeokuta, Ogun state capital.

She insisted that government most make agriculture more attractive to youths through provision of interest free loans, farm inputs, training and equipment.

Adeyemi attributed the current economic hardship being experienced by Nigerians to the years of neglect of agriculture sector by the government.

“Food distribution is the most urgent first step to ending hunger and poverty in the country. The subsidy removal and the state of the economy have led to a surge in the prices of these commodities. There is the urgent need for the Federal government to declare a state of emergency in the agriculture sector. It is hoped that a rapid turn around will be seen and witnessed to the benefit of all in no distance time.”

“Palliatives such as access to interest free loans for our farmers will help cushion the harsh economic policies currently experienced in the country; with our farmers been the worst hit.

“Nigerians must grow what they eat, the government must patronise made in Nigeria products as this will boost our local market and resuscitate our ailing economy,” Adeyemi said.

Adeyemi said, the exhibition would attract hundreds of farmers, food and event vendors, among others, adding that her organisation had trained, employed and engaged no fewer than 100 young Nigerians towards becoming self sustaining in the food and beverages sector.