Assist farmers, traders to avert looming food crisis – Oyo Babaloja-General tells FG

The Babaloja-General of Oyo State, Alhaji Sunmaila Aderemi Jimoh has urged the federal government to assist farmers and traders with incentives.

Jimoh, who spoke at a media briefing on Monday in Ibadan, noted that this is necessary in order to avoid a looming food crisis in the country.

Jimoh called on the Federal Government to assist farmers and traders with incentives to avert looming food insecurity in Nigeria.

He explained that the recent removal of subsidy on petroleum which subsequently jacked up the pump price of petrol has forced transporters to increase cost of transportation for goods or passengers.

He regretted that farmers in turn have increased the selling price of their produce.

Jimoh said, “As the situation is presently, only the federal government’s intervention can avert threatening food insecurity and bring prices of commodities down to a reasonable level where the common man can boast of two average meals per day.

“Traders are facing a terrible dilemma in Nigeria now as a result of consumer’s belief that traders are behind the hike in food prices, whereas we traders serve as punching bags being hit by other economic agents, including government, manufacturers, producers, farmers and consumers.

“The recent removal of petroleum subsidy which subsequently jacked up the pump price of petrol has forced transporters to increase cost of transportation for goods or passengers; farmers in turn have increased the selling price of their produce.

“Giving out interest-free loans to farmers and traders is a good way of relieving them of the pressure coming from their business environment and society.

“However, the government needs to put in place good control measures towards ensuring prompt repayment and sincerity of purpose.

“This can be achieved by engaging managers who will help in ensuring funds are not diverted but invest in good and profitable businesses and also supervise the repayment process.”