Residents of Rivers State have appealed to the federal government to promote large-scale farming to sustain food security.
They spoke against the backdrop of the World Food Day which was celebrated across the world on October 16.
One of the residents, Mr Zion, said that the government should promote large- scale agricultural farming to ensure the availability of food, saying that the government should not just pay lip service to the development of agriculture in the country.
He said that the government was not being serious about food security saying that government at different levels should give attention to the development of agriculture in their domains.
He further said that there should be security to promote agriculture in the country.
Another resident said that the state governments should produce agricultural products where they have comparative advantage in which they should produce products where they have best environment.
He said that where farmers produce according to their comparative advantage food would be available in the country.
The World Food Day is celebrated every year around the world on 16 October to raise awareness about importance of good food and nutrition.
The theme of this year’s celebration was “Grow, nourish, sustain. Together. Our actions are our future”.
Another resident, Okwandu, who also spoke advised Nigerians against consuming foreign agricultural products saying they should consume agricultural products locally produced in the country.
Another resident, Robert from Obigbo, however said that locally-produced agricultural products should be of high quality so that Nigerians would be willing to purchase and consume them.
He also said business people should determine how much locally-produced products should be sold in comparison to their foreign counterparts.
The residents gave their views on a radio programme on the World Food.
Ewa Rejoice also speaking expressed disappointment that youths were not willing to go into agriculture as they want white-collar jobs saying that she was willing to go into poultry farming.
Nigeria’s President, Muhammadu Buhari, restated commitment to food security in the country on the celebration of the World Food Day on Friday.
