Oxfam urges Nigerians to revive farming

The Country Director of Oxfam in Nigeria, Ms Chichi Okoye, has advised Nigerians to ensure the revival of farming practices in the country. Speaking at the Oxfam “Go live’’ ceremony in Abuja, she said Nigeria was fast losing its farming population. “If nothing is done about, it the nation will be in a food crisis in the nearest future,’’ Okoye warned.

Oxfam is an international confederation of 17 organisations networking together in more than 90 countries. It is a part of a global movement for change, aiming to build a future free from the injustice of poverty. Okoye said the organisation works directly with communities to empower them, to ensure that poor people could improve their lives and livelihood and have a say in decisions that affect them. She said Oxfam works with people living in poverty who are striving to exercise their human rights, assert their dignity as full citizens and take control of their lives.
Okoye said Nigeria as the most populous country in West Africa plays a critical role in shaping the agenda for the region and for Africa more widely. She said when the country gets development right, other countries could then learn and follow. “At Oxfam we focus on supporting small-scale farmers to become more efficient and productive. We support women’s groups, we help farmers push the government for greater backing. We work to achieve greater investment in agriculture. We lobby for change that will help improve food production and reduce the impact of climate change on farming.’’ she said