COVID-19: Ize-Iyamu advocates support for farmers

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The frontline aspirant of the All Progressives Congress in Edo state,
Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu has called on the government to support farming
and agriculture in the state as part of policy measures to prevent
shortage of food and wreck of the local economy by the implemented
restrictions to curb the spread of COVID-19.
In a statement released by his Campaign Organization, Pastor Ize-Iyamu
emphasized the need to look inwards for pragmatic solutions that reflect
the realities of the state, and the importance of protecting the
agriculture sector by ensuring the security of rural farmers and
committing funds and other investments into helping them improve farm
yields, storage and sale of produce.
He said: “Farming is not a short term venture; so how do our people combat
hunger during these period of lockdown.  Most of our farmers are in the
rural areas and are not directly affected by the restrictions in the urban
areas. What has hindered our farmers is the menace of herdsmen and boko
haram activites in the north where most of our food come from.
“In the interim, government and public spirited persons must be encouraged
to  give palliatives to those in dire need to avoid violence and looting
occasioned by hunger virus.”
“Government must encourage farmers to grow more by buying their products
and supporting them. I  have always advised on the need to set up a food
bank for now and the future.  People should be encouraged to farm but it
is not an easy ride and requires well thought out policies and incentives
involving availability of arable land, seedlings and support capital. The
present situation is volatile and requires short, medium and long term
solutions. For now we must support our people with food and then teach
them on how to farm.”

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