Don seeks govt’s proactive measures to address proposed onions sales ban
Prof. Kolawole Adebayo, a professor of agriculture at the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), has called for proactive measures to address the proposed sales ban by the Onions Traders Association to the southern parts of the country.
Adebayo, who made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday, in Lagos, noted that the traders’ call for safety as they go about their business was paramount, and leaders from both the South and North should collaborate to address the issue.
“The onion traders association did not place an outright ban on onions trade. They only noted that they will not do business with the South if they are not safe.
“I think it is a reasonable thing for the traders to ask for safety when they go about their duties. Onion producers and marketers have the right to feel safe, while doing their transactions.
“The leaders both in the South and North should heed to the call of the onions sellers beyond politics, and look at it from the security perspective.
“However, the onions producers and traders also need to tread with caution, because onion is a perishable commodity, both the sellers and the consumers will be affected,” the don said.
Adebayo also harped on the need to address the issue of insecurity issue as it was affecting the agriculture sector and food production.
“Agriculturally, this will affect the demand and supply of onions. If supply is restricted due to insecurity, prices will rise. This goes beyond onions but cuts across the entire agriculture sector.
“Unless, we achieve the physical security of farmers and food producers, we may likely face food shortage in the nearest future. It is not just onions but all foods.
“The government needs to be proactive and take decisive actions to tackle insecurity because it does no one any good. We have been complaining about banditry and kidnapping and how it adversely affects the agriculture sector,” Adebayo said. (NAN)
