Obi: Investment in agriculture solution to insecurity, poverty

The former governor of Anambra State, Peter Obi, says improved investment in agriculture will address insecurity, poverty, inflation, and food security affecting the country.

Obi, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 election, said this during a visit to Kebbi State Governor, Nasir Idris, in Birnin Kebbi, the state capital, on Sunday, March 24, 2024.

Describing agriculture as the backbone of Nigeria’s economy, Obi stressed that adequate funding of the sector would turn the economic fortune of the country around.

He said: “Nigeria has the largest uncultivated land in the world, most of which is located in the northern part of the country.

“With effective agricultural production, the sector has the capability to take millions of Nigerians out of poverty and address the problems of insecurity in the country.

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“In addition, agriculture is the basic foundation for attaining food security, eliminating hunger, and also serves as foreign exchange earner to stabilise the economy.

“We have no other country but Nigeria; we must, therefore, create a better place for our children.”

The LP presidential candidate acknowledged the position of Kebbi State as an agricultural hub, saying it has the capacity to feed Nigerians through increased production.

Obi added that his visit to Kebbi State after similar visits to Nasarawa, Niger, and Sokoto states was to break Ramadan fast with Muslims and identify areas of need that he can assist.

“In the course of my visit to Kebbi, I have provided Ramadan breakfast to 100 Muslims and commissioned a solar-powered borehole at Hutawa Fulani settlement in Birnin Kebbi,” the former two-term governor of Anambra State said.

Responding, Idris, who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Yakubu Bala-Tafida, thanked Obi for the visit.

The governor assured Obi of his administration’s commitment to continue to invest in human capital development, particularly those in the agricultural sector.

He said: “Recently, the state government procured N2.9 billion worth of fertilisers and distributed them free to farmers across the states irrespective of party affiliations.

“We have equally provided solar- powered water pumps and other agricultural inputs to farmers.

“The goal is to reduce the cost of production, increase yields, and stabilise prices of farm produce.”

The Star