A former governor of Adamawa State, retired Admiral Murtala Nyako, has said that poor yield in agriculture is responsible for food insecurity in Nigeria.

Speaking at the ongoing Agricultural Retreat organised by the Yobe State government in Damaturu, the state capital, Nyako, an experienced farmer of repute, said poor productivity in the agricultural sector was also causing insecurity in the country.

“People are in hunger,” he said, adding “That is why many are involved in various crimes like Boko Haram, kidnapping and banditry.” He said with a population of almost 100 million people, northern Nigeria had only two million cows, contrary to what obtained in agriculturally developed countries where cows were almost of equal number with the human population.

He advised that evolving approaches to agricultural innovations and farming practices should be deployed to make a difference in the value chain of agriculture in the country.

“Nigeria must set a target and work toward achieving food security in the country,” he said.

He noted that developed countries were taking advantage of the negative yield of Nigeria farmers to smuggle food into the country, which according to him, was reflecting in the country’s security situation.

He advised governors to provide corresponding institutions that would train experts on tractors repair, and of other mechanised inputs to save them from getting grounded within few years of operation.

He commended Governor Mai Mala Buni for hosting the retreat, and urged the government to help farmers migrate to mechanised farming.

Source: Daily Trust