Oba Saliu Adetunji, the Olubadan of Ibadan, and the Ifa worshippers have urged the Federal Government and the South-West governors to adopt irrigation farming in order to guide against food shortage in the land.
According to the monarch, to avert food shortage in the current year, efforts should be directed towards mass irrigation farming. This, he said, would help to overcome the effects of bad weather.
The Olubadan called for provision of adequate security for farmers to guide against incessant attacks and destruction of their farms.
While speaking at the installation ceremony of Dr. Fayemi Fakayode as the Mogaji of Onibudo family at the Ibadan House, Oke Aremo, Yemetu, Ibadan, on Saturday, Oba Adetunji said, “We should see that the time has come for us to realize that the way we practice farming here in the South-West Nigeria cannot sustain us in food sufficiency.
“The year 2020 food shortage projection by some Nigerians is predicated on so many reasons ranging from bad weather, insecurity and largely poor funding from the government.
“We can avert hunger and food crisis if the Federal Government can come to the aid of farmers and provide security for farmers. Situations where farmers were killed and maimed on their farmlands and situations where crops were destroyed by cattle will not attract young Nigerians to farming.
“We are also using this opportunity to call on our governor, Seyi Makinde, to sign the Anti-grazing Law of Oyo State to make the perpetrators have a rethink before committing such crime, this will also give assurance to those that are interested in farming.”
The Secretary-General, International Council for Ifa Religion, Dr. Biodun Agboola, said the time was ripe for the South-West states to collaborate in ensuring food sufficiency in the year 2020.
