Senior Legislative Aide,Otunba Kunle Bolarinde Advocates for a Return to Farming to Alleviate Hardship
In a recent Facebook post, Otunba ‘Kunle Bolarinde, a Senior Legislative Aide to the Speaker of the National Assembly, shared his thoughts on the current economic challenges facing Nigeria and proposed a return to farming as a potential solution.
Bolarinde highlighted the widespread hardship experienced by Nigerians, exacerbated by poor economic management and weak policies. He noted that while global issues like job shortages in the UK and Canada’s housing crisis are prevalent, Nigeria’s situation demands home-grown solutions.
He emphasized the severe market inflation, skyrocketing cost of living, and the increasing inaccessibility of staple foods for the average Nigerian. Additional challenges like floods, erosion, bad roads, and insecurity further complicate the situation, making basic sustenance a Herculean task.
Despite various government efforts, such as grant programs and palliatives, Bolarinde argued that these measures are insufficient given the nation’s large population and statistical inaccuracies. He strongly recommended that Nigerians, where possible, should take up farming, whether it be small-scale vegetable gardening or larger agricultural ventures. This, he believes, is essential to combat the impending hunger crisis.
Bolarinde shared his personal experience visiting his hometown, where young farmers expressed optimism about the potential earnings from their cocoa seedlings, which are expected to sell for N13,000 per kilogram. He pointed out that while prices of various crops like cocoa, cassava, and pepper have surged, the goal should be to increase supply to stabilize prices.
He urged Nigerians to take collective action, suggesting group farming, individual efforts, or hiring farm laborers as viable options. He also mentioned the establishment of farmer hubs, such as the Oriade and Obokun Farmers Hubs, which facilitate commercial farming, produce exportation, and processing.
Bolarinde called on traditional leaders, community heads, local government authorities, religious institutions, and social organizations to form clusters and develop localized farming initiatives. He stressed that hunger is indiscriminate and has the potential to cause societal unrest if not addressed promptly.
In conclusion, Bolarinde implored all Nigerians to take immediate action to prevent famine, emphasizing the need for a united effort to create a sustainable and self-sufficient agricultural system.
