AFAN seeks adequate provision of irrigation facilities to encourage all year round farming


 The All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN) in Oyo State has called for the provision of adequate irrigation facilities to encourage all year round farming and to ensure food sufficiency through massive production.
The Chairman of the branch, Mr Olumide Ayinla, made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Ibadan on Sunday.
According to him, the time has come for farming to become ``a good business” with availability of irrigation facilities such as dams across the country.
He emphasised that provision of agriculture loans at one-digit interest rate, good roads and resolution of the land tenure problem for farmers would go a long way towards making agriculture a profitable venture.
``Also, we plead with the government to settle this clash between herdsmen and farmers; in fact, it’s our major problem.
``Farmers planting crops such as water melon, cucumber, etc will have good results, with the late rains.
``But crops such as cassava and yam should be planted around September when the rains would have reduced.”
Ayinla urged government at all levels to make agriculture their priority and to involve stakeholders in agriculture in order to effectively diversify the economy.
``Agriculture alone, if properly managed, can provide jobs for millions of people in Nigeria.
``In Oyo state alone, agriculture can create employment for more than 5,000 youths,'' he said.

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