Implementation of agric policies must be proactive, grassroot directed – Stakeholders

Stakeholders at the Farm2Fork Dialogue have urged all players and actors involved in policy making to create proactive policies at the grassroots level, to benefit farmers and create jobs.

This resolution was made in a Special Policy Plenary with theme: “Food Security and Job Creation through Public-Private Partnership”.

While urging government to be bullish about acting on the implementation of these policies, they also emphasised on the need to create a synergy between public institutions and private investors.

Speaking on the panel, President of the Federation of Agricultural Commodity Associations of Nigeria (FACAN), Dr. Victor Iyama reiterated that the implementation of viable policies is key to fostering agro commodity businesses.

“How can the private sector get the government to work with them? The challenge we have in the country is implementation. If all the policies had been implemented, we won’t be where we are today as a nation,” he said.

National Vice-President of All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), Chief Daniel Okafor, on his part said a top-approach does not augur well for policy implementation.

On the need to create a level playing field for Private-Public Partnership to thrive, National President, Poultry Association of Nigeria (PAN), Dr. Prince Olabode Adetoyi said state governors need to partner private investors.

Echoing her sentiments, the Executive Director of the Agricultural and Entrepreneurial Skill Development Initiative for Women and Youths, Dr. Mrs M.L Oguniyi also said: “Most agencies have not really done enough. The first stage is to believe there is a problem, and the problem is a dearth of knowledge in agricultural production and processing.

“Government alone cannot provide the jobs, but what we can do is to find a way to disseminate information to people about the potentials of the sector.”