By Fatima Saka
The lawmaker representing Niger South Senatorial Districts, Sen. Muhammad Bima Enagi has urged stakeholders in agriculture to use the Russia and Ukraine war as an opportunity to improve Nigeria’s agricultural sector.
Sen Enagi, who is currently the chairman on committee on Agriculture and Productivity, in an interview with NatureNews, said that with the supply of grains like wheat affected as a result of the war, Nigerian farmers should boost the cultivation of wheat in the country.
He noted that with improved cultivation of wheat, they will be less reliance on the international market and cost of bread in the country will be affordable.
Sen. Enagi further stated that truly Nigeria is blessed with lots of arable lands which is also good for wheat cultivation and other grains.
While decrying how insecurity has affected states known for producing grains like Kano, Katsina, Sokoto and Kebbi state, he urged farmers of the government’s interest in handling the situation.
The lawmaker said the committee is doing its best to handle the insecurity issues affecting farmers, adding that his predecessor, Sen. Abdullahi Adamu had already laid the foundation.
“All I am trying to do now is possibly build on his legacy. I will build on it, console on it and strengthen it.
“In this capacity, the committee will support the legislative arms of government to ensure security for the nation, the agriculture sector is to be put at the front banner while the committee is also working tirelessly to ensure there is improvement in the agricultural sector.
“We will push forward the congressional quickly in this country so that we will not only be supplying enough food for local consumption, we should also be able to export them to the neighbouring countries,” he added.
Also speaking to another lawmaker, Sen. Ahmad Babba-Kaita representing senatorial district of Katsina North, said Nigeria is not among the big economic nations, saying that people no longer have interest in investing in Nigeria because of Nigeria.
Babba-Kaita also attributed the lack of foreign investments in Nigeria on the poor security situation caused by banditry, terrorism and others criminal activities.
