Nigeria will stop importing food if govt supports farmers – Awodiran

A United Kingdom-based agriculturist, Olatunji Awodiran, has declared that Nigeria would have no need to import food if local farmers are given the necessary incentives. Awodiran spoke on Thursday while addressing journalists in Ibadan. Awodiran, who recently launched the first food bank project in Osun State, advised government at all levels to support local farmers with the necessary incentives in order to reduce food importation in the country. According to him, local farmers who are closer to the people should be provided with necessary facilities to produce food without any hindrances. He also urged government to prioritize agriculture to ensure food security across the country. “Nigeria does not need to import food if local farmers are encouraged. In the United Kingdom, the government always support the local farmers because they are the nearest to the people. “So, what I think should be done is that the government should support the local farmers and give them support,” he said.