By Francis Nansak,Lafia
Stakeholders in the agricultural sector has called for more support,while lamenting over the poor participation of most states at the ongoing 2022 National Agriculture show holding in Nasarawa State.
Core Reporters observed and report that this year agricultural show has recorded worst participation since inception with only 4 states in attendance; Benue,Niger,Kano and the host state , Nasarawa.
The program has continuimg nosediving despite government supprt to sustain the annual event.
The Chairman, All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), Nasarawa state chapter, Honourable Samuel Meshi,in his opening remarks on Thursday at the show at Karu Local Government Area,outlined Three major challenges seeking immediate intervention,that can sustain the programme thereby giving it a national out look
The National Agricultural Show is organized annually by the National Agricultural Foundation of Nigeria in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of agriculture,some foreign and local partners,but there was no mentioned of the above partners.
With the theme “Small Holder Farming: The Challenges of Climate Change, Insecurity and Production Costs” started on Monday, September 10th and is expected to conclude on Friday, September 14th.
Samuel Meshi expressed shock and disappointment over the low turn out of participants from across the country given the fact that the agricultural show is a national event.
“This event is not viewed as local event of Nasarawa state, but it is a national event. All other states should be encouraged to participate because if you look at it now, we have about three or four states that are here.
” We have note and also appealed to the federal and state government to errect permanent structures that would serve as state pavilions without to construct temporal tents each year.There also need for subsidizing high cost of farming inputs and mitigating flooding” He said.
Also corroburating with the low turnout of participants at the 2022 National Agricultural Show, Mr Nuhu Oshafu, Nasarawa state Commissioner of Agriculture and Water Resources in an interview with newsmen decried the development but blamed it on political activities taking place across the country ahead of preparation for the 2023 general elections.
“The low turn out is as a result of up coming elections. You know, everywhere, every state is preparing for the general elections next year. So you don’t expect to see people around here, unlike last year when the crowd was much,” he said
2022 Agric Show : Stakeholders decry low turn out of states, call for supports
