Olusegun Obasanjo, former president of Nigeria, has called on the federal government to prioritize food as a matter of national security.
Speaking at the AgriConnect 2024 Summit, themed “Bridging the Divide: Fostering Collaboration and Innovation for a Sustainable Agricultural Future,” Obasanjo emphasized the need for government intervention in the agricultural sector. He specifically urged the government to offer single-digit interest rates on loans to farmers to help them scale and expand their operations.
“Any country that offers more than a single-digit loan to people in agribusiness is not helping farmers. We know farmers need money, and we also know food is national security,” Obasanjo stated.
He further highlighted the importance of access to land, alongside adequate financing, as essential for boosting food production in Nigeria. Obasanjo, who is also an accomplished farmer, stressed that achieving food security requires greater attention and support from the government towards the agricultural sector, making it more appealing to the youth.
