Let’s avert famine in Nigeria

The recent statement by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Malam Garba Shehu, was indeed frightening. Malam Shehu expressed fears of famine in the country early next year. In the statement, he said,“The huge demand  of our grains in the global market is creating an excellent environment for the mindless […]

The recent statement by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Malam Garba Shehu, was indeed frightening.
Malam Shehu expressed fears of famine in the country early next year.
In the statement, he said,“The huge demand  of our grains in the global market is creating an excellent environment for the mindless export of Nigerian grains across our borders, and unless this is curtailed, Nigerian markets will be bereft of food by January, next year.”
This statement has caused panic among consumers and even farmers, many of whom have recorded bumper harvest this year.  From reports, it is estimated that about 500 trucks of grains leave Nigeria every week, and most of the grains are taken to Libya,Algeria and Brazil, where the demand of  the commodities is high. 
With the demand and appreciable prices of commodities in our markets, many farmers are forced to sell their farm produce. Therefore, government needs to rise to the occasion and take measures that will avert famine.
The government,through the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, should, as a matter of urgency,  commence the purchase of grains to fill our silos. There is also a need for proper enlightenment among peasant farmers on the danger of selling off all their grains without saving for the rainy days. Irrigation farming should also be encouraged through the building of earth dams and water reservoirs.
Ibrahim Mustapha wrote from Pambegua, Kaduna.