NAAEP signs MoU with Lisabi Mills on food production

By Ikeoye Oyetoro
In a bid to sustain agriculture and solve the problem of food security/unemployment in Nigeria, the Nigeria American Agricultural Empowerment Program Limited (NAAEP) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Lisabi Mills(Nigeria)Ltd.

The Partnership which is geared towards eradication of poverty through the establishment of small scale enterprise and starting a revolution that will promote food security in Nigeria is to empower, enlighten and train Nigerian farmers under the strict supervision of the American farmers on the significance of mechanized  farmers and how they can use a planter to plant 100 hectares of land just in one day.

Speaking at the event, the Managing Director of Lisabi Mills, Shex Ladipo, noted that it is beyond dispute that Nigeria is blessed with many arable lands, great weather and good population that comprises able bodied men and women that can support a good food basket.

“It is shameful thing, Nigeria is blessed with many arable lands that are yet to be utilised, great weather and good population that comprises able bodied men and women, it is unfortunate for Nigeria to be importing food items like garri and waiting for Thailand before we can rice.”

Ladipo also noted that food processing companies faces some limitations as they cannot meet market demands due to lack of raw materials and therefore call on government to empower Nigerian farmers with accurate funds so that they can produce in large quantities saying it is more cheaper to make use of local raw materials than the imported one.

The Managing Director said government at all levels should encourage the establishment of farm settlements and plantations by creating attractive amenities that will attract and retain youths in the farm environment saying this will solve the twin problems of unemployment and food insecurity in one stroke.

Also, the Chairman/CEO of  NAAEP, Chief Temitope Labinjo Ajayi. said eradication of poverty through agricultural revolution should be the priority of government as it has always been a key factor of any nations growth.

According to her, millions and billions of naira is being earmarked on agriculture in Nigeria yet we see nothing as there is high level of food scarcity coupled with unemployment in the country and this has been causing increases of crime rates among our youth.

She highlighted some solutions to the problem of food insecurity in the country saying the problem of land inquisition by our farmers should be erased, provision should be made for effective food chain delivery which includes provision of power and water for farming activities and provision of storage and preservation facilities for farm product is another issue that government should take serious.

Ajayi disclosed that the whole idea behind the signing of Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) is to see to it that the farmers produce in large quantities so as to enter into a long term meaningful relationship with Lisabi Mills Nigeria Ltd by selling this farm products to them for processing which they will give back to the masses at affordable price. She called on the government to make agriculture their priority and see it as a key of development goals