Dr Tunde Arosanyin, a former Chairman, All Farmers Association (AFAN) in Kogi says outbreak of coronavirus in the world may lead to food shortage later in the year.
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Arosanyin made this known on Thursday in Ilorin, while speaking with News Agency of Nigeria.
He said that the presence of the virus in about 43 countries in Africa with Nigeria being one of them, was a major concern for farmers ahead of the new farming season.
“It is a major concern to the farming communities in the country, especially as the rains are set to start in the farming season in 2020.
“The partial lockdown will affect the farmers from getting farm labours and block the access to market to sell farm produce to raise fund for farm operations.
“Most farmers will have to expend the farm capital on family upkeep and may not have enough money again for farm operations,” he said.
Arosanyin, who also is the coordinator of the Zero Hunger Commodity Farmers of Nigeria, said the health implications for farmers would be grievous.
“If farmers contact the virus, the sickness may lead to inactivity on the farm. All of the issues raised portend a threat to the food security of the nation and the West African sub- region.
“This will heighten the rising inflation, increase hunger and poverty in the rural areas and Sub-Urban communities in the country,” he said.
Arosanyin said that the problems of farmers/Fulani herdsmen conflict was already affecting food security of the nation at present, saying “that the problem may be further compounded if the issue of the virus is not curtailed effectively as it is capable of degenerating into food crisis.’’
He said that to address the problems, government would need to intensify its present efforts in educating the public on appropriate health practices to prevent the spread of the virus.
“Government should also provide items such as face mask and sanitizer among others to the people free of charge.
“Government at all levels should encourage the farmers with take-off inputs such as seeds, sprayers, herbicide, fertiliser and credit facility.
“Extension officers should be on ground in all the local government areas to guide the farmers at this critical period to stabilise food production.
“And finally the issue of herdsmen interruption in farmland must be addressed or resolved for all of these to make a meaningful impact,’’ he said.