Kano: Farmers Lament Lack Of Modern Equipment, Want 20 Percent Budgetary Allocation To Agriculture

By Ayodele Oni

Clusters of farmers associations in Kano state have lamented that obsolete farming equipment coupled with lack of access to fertilizers and services of extension officers may force them out of business.

The group of farmers, that have branches across the 44 Local government areas of the Kano state, under the banner of ‘We Farm the Food’  have appealed to the Federal government to invest and allocate 20percent, of its budget to Agriculture for gross domestic product and economic transformation.

Chairman of the State’s Farmers Association:‘We Farm the Food’ Bako Ibrahim Sabo, made this call during a one day capacity building seminar tagged ‘Mu koma Gona’ in Hausa which means Let go back to the farms, at Dagumawa, Wudil Local government area.

The seminar was primarily aimed at educating the farmers and boost their morale despite the set backs they are encountering.

Bako Sabo, added that past governments neglected the sector, despite the numerous plans and Programmes for Agriculture, but they are merely on paper rather than practical.

“Irrigation scheme has been severely reduced due to the excessive cost, which endanger livelihoods of thousands of people, the authority needs to come to boost the capacity.

“There is possible drought and famine threats across the state and nationwide, also last year low crop yields in some areas still continue to have ripple effects, we are in danger of drought ravaged food insecurity, which need broad based development to salvage the flight of the rural farmers.”

The Agriculturalist called on the incoming federal administration to invest heavily in Agriculture, which he suggested that it should allocate 20 percent of its budget to the sector to close the gap and compete globally as Agriculture remains one of the economy most important driver.

Rural farmers that participated at the event, lamented the obstacle they are facing ranging from obsolete and outdated mechanized farming tools, to high cost of fertilizer, shortage of ADP’s and Agricultural extension workers, lack of know how and usage of seeds and crops.

They called for routine  seminar/workshop/capacity building as it improves their knowledge as well as bridging the gap.