Federal Government has been urged to increase budgetary allocation to the Agricultural sector to achieve food security and strengthen the country’s Gross Domestic Product-GDP.
Speaking to newsmen in Awka a Banker, Mr. Anthony Nwafor said this would help to alleviate poverty and provide permanent solution to the challenge of unemployment.
Mr. Nwafor said genuine farmers should be given adequate financial and material support including provision of credit facilities, farm inputs, machinery, processing and storage facilities to enhance effective harnessing of abundant agricultural potential abound in different parts of the country.
He explained that this will accelerate the drive towards diversifying the economy to escape the burden of mono economy.
Mr. Nwafor urged the Central Bank of Nigeria to effectively utilize the facilities of Micro finance Banks in the implementation of its poverty alleviation interventions to achieve the desired goals.
He noted that Micro Finance Banks are closer to the active poor and rural dwellers and could effectively disburse such empowerment to genuine beneficiaries.
Also speaking, a farmer, Chief Godwin Obikwere called on federal and state Governments to make adequate arrangement to cushion the effects of the prevailing flooding in different parts of the country.
Chief Obikwere noted that many crops and facilities have already been lost to the flood.
Another farmer, Mrs. Adaora Ezekwe called for provision of dry season facilities to make up what was lost to the flood.