Agricultural expert, Agbayewa, highlights Thailand’s successful food model, emphasizing its effectiveness in rice cultivation with dedicated zones providing essential infrastructure and resources.
Speaking to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos, Agbayewa proposed the implementation of specific food zones in states and local government areas across Nigeria.
According to Agbayewa, adopting this model would allow the government to establish rice-free zones, maize-free zones, cassava-free zones, and more, ultimately boosting the nation’s food security.
Drawing a comparison, he noted that Thailand, with a similar approach, is a global leader in rice production, yielding over 33 million metric tons annually, while Nigeria lags at 8.4 million metric tons.
The expert urged the government to replicate Thailand’s successful policies, emphasizing the need for dedicated zones equipped with facilities like irrigation, solar power, and a robust road network to attract youth participation in farming.
He encouraged South-West governors to identify suitable zones for specific crops, transforming them into commercial hubs to reduce production costs.
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Highlighting the significance of rice in Nigeria, Agbayewa acknowledged the positive impact of former President Buhari’s interventions, which increased annual production from 600-700 metric tons to 4.5 million tons.
However, he stressed challenges such as climate conditions, insecurity, and insincerity contributing to a 2 million metric ton shortfall.
Agbayewa also addressed the issue of rising rice prices, attributing it to transportation costs and various levies. He called for sincerity in addressing these challenges, emphasizing the need for local production to meet the demand in the South-West, which currently relies on imports.
In conclusion, the expert urged the government to prioritize the establishment of specialized food zones, emphasizing their potential to address food security challenges, enhance production efficiency, and reduce costs for both farmers and consumers.
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