The Senator representing Kogi West in the Red Chambers of the National Assembly, Sen. Dino Melaye has called for concerted efforts from the people of his Senatorial District to revive agriculture and ensure food security in the nation. Speaking exclusively to newsnetng.com from his holidays in the United States, Senator Melaye said farming is the solution to the myriad of economic challenges the country is facing today.
He said: “I am glad that the people are talking now about agriculture. Our people are building initiatives, capacity and platforms for agricultural renaissance.
“A few weeks ago, some respected leaders from my Senatorial District converged on Kabba to discuss the way forward for agriculture in the area. Citizens are beginning to act. We cannot continue to pretend as if oil still matters in this country.
“I am currently working with some groups and international donor and development agencies to ensure our rural and commercial farmers are able to access credit and improved seedlings. I have held some unofficial meetings in the United Kingdom and the United States with friends and development partners. We shall escalate all of these to create new frontier for agricultural revolution “.
Melaye said Nigeria cannot afford to fail, saying the only antidote to economic meltdown is agriculture.
In his words, “No matter the degree of grammar we speak on the floor of the National Assembly , it won’t assuage the hunger on the streets. What will ameliorate it is our conscious and pragmatic efforts at addressing hunger.
“I am determined to lead the efforts at promoting food production. The world won’t know that Kogi State is one of the most viable agricultural destinations around Africa until we make the noise that will attract the right investments into the agricultural sector of our economy”.
Senator. Melaye dismissed as untrue, claims from some quarters that Kogi West youth are unwilling to farm, saying with the right approach, technology and marketing plan, the youth are ready to revolutionize our agriculture.
“We cannot continue to blame the youth for shunning farming when we are not driving a revolution of new agricultural technology. There must also be improved seedlings and good marketing plan. Youth won’t do the kind of agriculture that made our parents poor. We must promote the Rich by Green agenda “.
The Senator said he is determined to continue to struggle for a better Kogi West and a better Nigeria.
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