Food Insecurity: Ndigbo should be able to produce their food says ADF
The Alaigbo Development Foundation(ADF) has described the current scarcity of local foodstuffs and crops in Igbo land as an abherration,stating the Igbo nation has all it takes to produce the entire South East zone and beyond.
The President,Alaigbo Development Foundation(ADF),Professor Uzodinma Nwala, dropped this hints while making a clarion call for Ndigbo cut across class to embrace farminp this planting season. He said going back to the farms is the only way to curtail increasing cost of basic food crops like Garri, fermented cassava,yams, vegetables, which currently has gone out of reach of average Nigerians.
Briefing newsmen at ADF office in Enugu.Prof. Nwala said hitherto Igbo sons and daughters were great farmers who owned massive farms of cassava,yams,maize, pepper and several other foods, from which they feed their families and sell in the local markets.
He lamented that presently almost every meal is prepared from food products sourced from Northern Nigeria including yams and fermented cassava or imported.
The ADF President,Prof.Uzodinma Nwala,said the trend should be reversed if we must overcome the threatening food crisis across Igbo land,describing the region as well blessed with good climate,soil and fertile land to feed the nation more than Northern Nigeria.
His words,’It is a shame for Ndigbo who lives in the forest region to depend on people who lives in the arid region.
‘Many years ago out of coincidence I travelled by night bus from 9th mile along with some Akegbe women who were carrying fermented cassava(Akpu) to sell in the North.Just a few years back, i witnessed a lorry from the North that was loaded with fermented cassava to sell in the East. I could not believe myself with what i saw. That the same fermented cassava which initially was lifted from the East to feed the North is now being sold to us by farmers from Northern Nigeria”.
Prof. Nwala said it is high time Igbo entrepreneurs should practice agriculture so as to produce enough crops to feed the nation,stating that was part of the initial focus of ‘AKURUO ULO'(investing at home) as pioneered by ADF.
He commended a former governor of Ebonyi state,Dr Sam Egwu for delving into large scale through which he is providing gainful employment to youths. P rof. Nwala disclosed himself also owns large farmland with emphasis on yam cultivation which earned him the title of ‘Ezeji of Mbaise'(King of yam) in his country home, Mbaise in Imo state.
His words,”I am Ezeji. I belong to yam association of Mbaise. I am asking our people all over to engage in Agriculture so we can have enough to eat and sell to Nigeria. Agriculture will not be left only for the peasant farmers”.
According to him ADF under the motive of Akuruo Ulo(investing at home),have tried to establish farms at Mbaise,acquire land at Leru and also tried to establish a farm project at Ugbawka,Enugu state.
He stated,” Today.We have a farm at Mbaise.What we have done in Mbaise is to set up a big cooperative farm where we have dedicated farmers,producing lots of cassava and yams.
“We have gone further to set up a rural women co-operative movement.We have made effort to acquire land at Leru. Our Ugbawka farm project collapsed because it was opposed by Prof.Barth Nnaji”,Prof.Nwala narrated.
The ADF President identified the incessant attacks and destruction of farmlands allegedly by wandering Fulani herdsmen as another factor that retarded food production across Igbo land. He called the various arm of government to protect the farmers and their farmland from the menace of herders this planting season.
Prof. Nwala also called on the various town unions in the South East zone to set up vigilante associations to guard against invasion of farmlands by herdsmen who destroy and feed their cattles with crops planted by farmers.
End.
should not be left for peasant farcalled on Igbo entrepreneurs to embrace
