By Ikhili Ebalu, Benin City
A Socio Cultural Group, the Concerned Edo Citizens Forum, ( CECC), has called on Southern Governors to as a matter of urgently declare a state of emergency in the agricultural Sector.
The group in a release signed by the
Convener, Roy Oribhabor, said,
nature have favourably blessed Southern state with good agricultural land which does not really need much labour.
Oribhabor, said, “the Need to develop agricultural sector by Southern Governors becomes pertinent because of series of threats from Northern framers over food.
“The southern Governors, must at this material time invest seriously on the agricultural sector and southern people must embrace farming now, because there is no need to pretend.
According to him, “the latest development indicates that, the threats by northern farmers if implemented will create great problems for the region, as we solely depends on the north for food and meat.
Roy Oribhabor added that, ” “Sometime ago, the tomatoes sellers ban the sales of their produce and now the onions sellers are threatening to do same, as an organization we hereby call on the southern Governors and the people to invest seriously in agricultural sector.
He querried, “for how long shall we continue to live on the mercy of northern farmers? All methodologies to facilitate framing must be adopted now before its too late.
” Our Governors must as matter of policy and urgency encourage farming by investing and promoting agricultural mechanism to enhance farming, farming must be made attractive for the younger generation to come in for utmost satisfaction and utilizations.
“We are worried over the series of threats from northern farmers, hence, we call on southern people and the Government to immediately call agricultural submit to educate and enlighten the people on the need to embrace framing in a civilizes manners because the society is gradually evolving.
“Research conducted so far clearly shows that, more has not be done in the southern region to encourage farming….. Agricultural submit will help to address the fundamental and create further awareness about the latest farming methodology available.
” Oil is no longer as attractive in the international market, alternative must be considered which is farming.” He concluded.