Expert regrets dwindling number of practicing farmers

The President of Excel Multipurpose Cooperative Society, Kayode Vincent has rued the dwindling numbers of practicing farmers in the country, stating that diversification is not the wholistic approach to boosting the economy, but to encourage more people to go into farming.

Vincent who stated this at a one-day intensive training programme powered by the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) Lagos Province 4; 47 and 48, said;

“Farm project based on advert placement and referrals that give surface information of profits are not adequate. Here, people venture into the sector with improper research from miscalculations, unexpected costs, at the end of the day, it becomes a failed project. Encouraging people to practice farming has been operational since 1976, yet the number of farmers has been dwindling onwards.

“We are saying do not go into farming based on the recession, go into it for the long haul and the passion. We need to feed our people, the market is there. That is how the economy can improve. Why do we have high rate of unemployment, industries closing down. it is because something is not connecting.”

While appealing to the public and private bodies to play their roles in ensuring that agriculture is where it is supposed to be, Vincent lamented that since 1976, with array of policies by governments, there has been inadequate implementation of the policies.