Association rues low turnout at Agric. Show

October 13, 2012 17:11

NAN-H-31

Turnout

Tudun Wada (Nasarawa State), Oct. 13, 2012 (NAN) The Nigerian Women Agro-allied Farmers Association, on Saturday lamented the low turnout of participants at this year's National Agric. Show.

Mrs Lizzy Igbine, President of the association told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Tudun Wada, Nasarawa State,that the show, before now, had been a platform where farmers came together to share ideas.

``The show, in the past, was a place where farmers converge to rub minds, but as you can see, the attendance is low this year.’’

She observed that most farmers had long waited for state governments to sponsor them to the show, a situation which, she said, needed to be reviewed.

Igbine called on the Federal Government to be at the forefront of the sponsorship of the annual show, saying such intervention would assuage farmers’ apathy.

``Some states do not take this show seriously but if the federal government could take over the sponsorship and introduce incentives it will arouse more participation.’’

She appealed to the government to inject more funds into the sector.

Hajia Siddiqa Mahmud, a fish farmer, stressed that more incentives should be introduced into the show to encourage participation.

``You cannot expect a farmer to come from his state in this time of economic stress and then there will be no incentive for him.

``All these campaign about improving agriculture and making it a priority should be enshrined into this show,’’ Mahmud added.

According to her, the federal government could use the show to give out grants to some selected farmers. (NAN)

AKD/HAS/MZA

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