By Nneka Nwogwugwu
The Oyo State Chairman of Maize Association of Nigeria (MAAN), Mr Olawale Ajani, says poor rainfall, crop pests, and herders/farmers clashes are causes of maize scarcity in the country.
Ajani said this in an interview on Thursday while reacting to the current scarcity of maize in the state.
He added that the few available ones are expensive compared to the previous years, adding that women who used to sell roasted corn by the road side are not as many as before.
A cob of maize previously sold for N50 or two for N50, is now N100 for one piece in Ibadan metropolis.
Ajani, the Chief Executive Officer of Agrolinks Consult, Oyo State, said most maize farms had dried up or were destroyed by pests during the drought period.
According to him, farmers were presently embarking on irrigation system of farming and use of chemicals to solve drought and infestation.
“Besides, we have the challenge of inadequate funding, drought, cost of inputs and chemicals, short supply of labour, poor storage facilities, bad farm roads and high cost of transportation.
“We need the state and Federal Government to assist us in funding irrigation system, use of improved seeds and seedlings.
“There is need for attractive and enabling environment to encourage the youth and women into agriculture and agribusiness,” Ajani said.
He told farmers not to be discouraged but put in more efforts and make use of modern farming equipment.
The MAAN chairman urged the government to construct more rural roads and rehabilitate existing ones.
