Posted on August 8th, 2017 by Krisoral Group Media

Nigeria's inability to achieve food sufficiency has been attributed to inconsistency in policy implementation and lack of will of preceding governments to diversify the economy, through agriculture. Chris Oranu Chidume, group managing director, Krisoral Group, made this observation at the inauguration of the 12th president of Onitsha Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (ONICIMMA) and the chamber's annual lecture series, held in Onitsha, Anambra State.

Commenting on the theme of the lecture, titled, "Commercial agriculture value chain, providing opportunities for economic recovery and growth", he advised Government to automate agriculture to make it more attractive to youths. He observed further that mechanized agriculture would remove drudgery, which is associated with traditional farming and encourage commercial agriculture.

According to the Krisoral boss, Government should make its agric policy more practicable to encourage youths, especially those in the rural communities to engage in farming, rather than migrate to urban centres in search of white collar jobs that are readily available. Chidume, who chaired the occasion, also observed that no matter how beautiful a policy of government is, would remain good only on paper, if it is not implemented. In his words, "In any point in time that we put up any beautiful idea, until the government gives it the necessary backing, it will only be a beautiful idea on paper.

"Sinec1976 we have had series of Agric programmes, ranging from Green Revolution, Operation Feed the nation and so on. And until we get it right, we will not get it right. And the consequence of not getting it right is very glaring today. "If you look round in our urban cities, you'll notice increase in rural migration to urban cities, and one thing is in the mind of those migrants, to go and make it big and the result is increase in crime.

"Whereas we have vast arable land all over Nigeria, and particularly in Anambra State and my advice to Government is to make a serious policy that will be feasible, such that would engage people, especially youths in agriculture, "he stated. Alaba Lawson, national president, Nigeria Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA), in her goodwill message, observed that Nigeria is blessed with arable land and human resources, but lacked automation needed to drive commercial agriculture.

She commended Anambra State Government for its efforts at ensuring that agriculture plays a major role in its economy. "It is no longer news that agriculture is one of the Governor's economic policies. Farmers are encouraged to set up cooperatives to benefit from special trainings in agriculture value chain, access the over N1.5 billion support fund, made available by the State Government, especially to women and youths".

However, to truly attain a viable commercial agriculture value chain, Lawson, said there is need to sustain local demand as well as improve access to international markets. Donatus Ebubeogu, the newly elected president of ONICIMMA, promised to key into the aspirations of the business community to rebrand Onitsha.

He expressed gratitude to Anambra State Government for cleaning up Onitsha, the commercial hub of the State, but regretted that the attitude of residents, especially the business community has not changed. "What we intend to do is to rebrand Onitsha, through changing our attitudes to things, and bringing back the city to its past glory, as a major business hub. His Royal Majesty, Igwe Nnaemeka Anichebe, the Agbogidi, Obi of Onitsha, was among several dignitaries that graced the event.

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