Economic recession: Nasarawa farmers predict end

Some farmers in Nasarawa State have predicted an end to the current economic recession in the country.

The farmers made the prediction in separate interviews with journalists on Friday following early rains recorded in the state.

They said many farmers were encouraged to clear new farmlands as part of efforts to boost food production, fight poverty and contribute to ending the economic recession.

A recent survey shows that more new farm lands have been cleared by farmers in Keffi, Karu, Nasarawa, Toto local government areas of the state and along the Keffi-Akwanga-Lafia road.

A news correspondent, who went round some of the farms, reports that the farmers are eager to key into the Federal Government’s agenda to develop the agricultural sector.

Some of the farmers said that in their respective farms, that they decided to clear more farmlands because of positive signs of a bumper harvest this year.

They also predicted that the economic recession might end before December, considering the commitment of key players in the agricultural sector and that of the federal government towards boosting the economy.

One of the farmers, Mr Bulus Adigizi, said he had cleared more farm land in order to increase food production and fight poverty.

“I have cleared new farm lands and I believe that many farmers have done the same in order to boost food production.

“But, we can only be hopeful of bumper harvest if government provide fertiliser and other farm inputs at an affordable price and at the right time,’’ Adigizi said.

He said that the timely sales of fertiliser would facilitate efforts to improve production and enhance food security in the state.

Another farmer, Malam Galadima Haruna, expressed hope that farmers would record bumper harvest in 2017, considering the efforts they are making across the state.

“Farmers in the state are doing their best to boost food production in an attempt to contribute their quota towards ending the nation’s economic recession.

“That is why we have cleared more new farm lands and we are giving topmost priority to farming activities.”

He, therefore, appealed to government at all levels to provide agricultural inputs at subsidised rates so as to realise the objective of boosting food production and national development.