According to the report from the Vanguard, Amidst the challenge of escalating food prices nationwide, SWEER Global Farms urged the government on Friday to establish private sector-driven farms to address the high food prices and boost food production and security in the future as the population continues to grow.
Dr. Thaddeaus Thompson, Chairman of SWEER Global Farms, emphasized in an interview with Vanguard the need for a synergistic approach between large agribusinesses and smallholder farmers to ensure sustained food production.
He highlighted the importance of elevating the capacity and productivity of smallholder farmers to the next level in accordance with recent government policies announced by the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari. This approach, he noted, would help mitigate the impact of high food prices on Nigerians.
“One of the major challenges facing smallholder farmers is access to quality farm inputs,” Thompson stated. He called on the federal government to collaborate with large farms to help smallholders access affordable, quality farm inputs amid the rising cost of imports.
Thompson expressed concerns about food importation, stating, “Importing food will not benefit local farmers, as it will further depreciate the Naira due to the increased need for US Dollars to import food items, worsening the economy.” He warned that food importation could lead to job losses, turning Nigeria into a dumping ground for imported food and exporting jobs overseas.
Instead, Thompson advocated for substantial investment in technology, research, local farmer empowerment, agricultural extension services, and addressing insecurity to boost domestic food production.
He said, “Nigeria is a country with huge agricultural potential recognized globally, SWEER Global Farms in Amassoama, Bayelsa State, is committed to investing in the nation’s agricultural sector.”
Thompson stressed the importance of government support for large-scale agribusinesses and partnerships to produce food massively for Nigerians. “This is imperative to consider instead of food importation, which would definitely turn Nigeria into a dumping ground for food from other countries,” he asserted.
Highlighting Nigeria’s globally recognized arable lands, Thompson stated, “This is an advantage to make the country a dominant food-producing nation in the international market. Nigeria should have more companies investing in agriculture.”
He concluded by urging the government to establish farms at local, state, and federal levels that are private sector-driven, focusing on the most cultivated staples in the six geopolitical zones and states.