By Rauf Oyewole
The Pastoral Resolve (PARE), a non-profit organisation has called on governments across levels to prioritise adequate budgetary allocation and funding to boost the agriculture sector to ensure food sufficiency.
The organisation in a statement by Mutari Garba, Knowledge and Communication Officer, to mark this year's World Food Day, said that Nigeria's allocation especially in the budget to the Agricultural Sector is below the global standard thereby hindering farmers from cultivating diverse crops to provide enough to the country.
“This appeal comes as countries mark the 2025 World Food Day, this year's theme ‘Hand in Hand for Better Foods and a Better Future’ is inline with the PARE's objectives, mission and visions upon which the NGO was established.
“PARE Bauchi office under the leadership of Shuaibu Aliyu Kobi champions better nutrition, livelihood, awareness tours, environmental sustainability, community cohesion and skills training.
"Food is one of the basic necessities of life apart from clothing and shelter, a country is viewed as good for investment when it is food sufficient,” he said.
Garba further appealed to the government to play a vital role by selling farming inputs to the local farmers at subsidised and affordable prices, saying that would encourage jobless youth embrace farming to make Nigeria food-secured while abandoning restiveness.
“As the World celebrates the role of foods for survival, PARE commends farmers for their efforts, dedication and sacrifices toward providing what millions of people consume.”
The organisation lamented the skyrocketing prices of inputs necessary for farming such as fertilizer, herbicides, pesticides and machines that ease work. PARE therefore appealed to all responsible in doing the needful for the teaming farmers to acquire needed items to achieve bumper harvest.
“Pastoral Resolve (PARE) is committed to orient farmers on marketable crops, modern farming practices, latest inventions and link farmers to companies for them to maximize profits.
With more funding, the organisation believed Nigeria could achieve food security, export to countries and use the money to better the lives of people while serving as means of income to the idle youth in the sector.
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