Communal clashes, land inheritance, hindrances to agric development - Agriculturalist


 An Agriculture Extension Officer, Mr Sodiq Adeyemi, says inadequate land allocation is a major challenge to the development of agriculture at the grassroots.
Adeyemi told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Omu-Aran that the problem of inadequate land allocation was occasioned by land inheritance and land induced communal conflicts that remain critical factors across various towns and communities.
He said that the development was a stumbling block to government’s efforts aimed at making agriculture, especially farming, more attractive as a business or vocation to youths at the grassroots.
According to him, the factors negate the various public-private partnership initiatives toward transforming agriculture to fight poverty and unemployment.
Adeyemi said that community leaders had a major role in making agriculture a veritable alternative to boost the nation's economy and thereby restore the dignity of the citizens.
He, therefore, suggested the active incorporation of community leaders in every effort to make agriculture more attractive and a viable alternative for socio-economic development.
"This is so especially when land acquisition for agriculture purposes has become problematic in our major towns and villages.
"Nigeria, no doubt, is blessed with large percentage of arable land conducive for all season farming.
"But the problems of land tussle among communities, inheritance and even government's industrial development related plans remained major obstructions," the agriculture extension officer said.
Adeyemi urged traditional rulers across various communities to always give adequate consideration to individuals and groups requiring land for agriculture businesses.
He decried the stringent conditions, especially payment of royalties, often demanded, which drive away potential agriculture investors from doing business at the grassroots.
"The problem, if not properly addressed could be a major set-back toward diversifying the economy from oil dependent to agriculture base," Adeyemi said. 

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