"We can feed the Nation with Fish Production", AFAN Boss

Rivers State Chairman of All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), Comrade Ofimaobari Igwe, has said that the state can feed Nigeria through cassava, plantain and fish production, if enough interest is shown in agriculture by the people.

 

Igwe, who said this during an interview in Port Harcourt, said that the development of the agric sector should not be left to the government alone.

“Rivers farmers can produce enough food to feed this nation, but first, they must show enough interest in the sector. While government plays its part, the people must play their part by embracing agriculture”, he said.

  

According to him, "Rivers State has comparative advantage in fish, garri, yam and plantain production, adding that the state has enough acres of land that could be used for the production of enough food to feed the nation."

  

He said that as far as AFAN under his watch was concerned, the era of portfolio farmers had gone, stressing that nobody would be allowed to collect loan in the name of farming for other things.

 

Igwe also emphasized the need for massive investment in the agricultural sector, noting that the Coronavirus pandemic has shown that agriculture was the only sustainable sector of any economy.

“Government should diverse into agriculture. Covid-19 has shown that agriculture is a serious business”, he added.

 

The AFAN chairman also commended both the Federal and State governments for the interest shown in developing agriculture and called on Rivers farmers to make use of the various facilities provided by the government to invest in the sector.