Food security: Lawmaker urges government, individuals to invest in agriculture


A lawmaker, Mr Hilary Bisong, has appealed to the three tiers of government to give priority to the agricultural sector to ensure food security in the country.

Bisong, PDP, representing Boki II state constituency in the Cross River House of Assembly, made the appeal in  Calabar.

He said that according priority to the agricultural sector would improve food production, food sufficiency, reduce unemployment and poverty and boost socio-economic development of the country.

Bisong further said that if much attention was given to the sector, majority of unemployed graduates would venture into agriculture and become self-reliant.

Bisong said for the country to overcome its present economic challenges, both government and individuals must increase investment in agriculture to improve the living standards of Nigerians.

“Before the discovery of crude oil, agriculture used to be the main source of our national revenue, but with the discovery of oil, we relegated agriculture to the background.

“The three tiers of government must place premium on agriculture. Irrespective of our positions in the society, we must all go back to agriculture to ensure food security in the country.

“If youths and other Nigerians embrace farming, it will not only reduce over dependence on oil, but the present hardship and economic challenges facing the nation will also be a thing of the past.

“Prices of food items in the market have sky-rocketed, there is an urgent need for government to invest massively in agriculture.

“The planting season is around the corner, as a stakeholder and politician; I will support my constituents who are into farming with yam seedlings and other grains to enhance their productivity,’’ he said.

He advised youths to shun idleness, embrace skills acquisition programmes and engage in other meaningful activities to make them self reliant.


The lawmaker assured his constituents of his commitment to initiate people-oriented programmes that would uplift their standard of living.  

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