Mr Edward Ugwueze, a human rights activist, has urged the Federal and State Governments to invest more in agriculture to boot the success of diversifying the nation’s economy and achieve food security.
Ugwueze made the call on Wednesday while speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Nsukka.
He said that before the advent of oil in the country, agriculture was the major foreign exchange earner for Nigeria.
The activist said that the present inadequate food production and unemployment in the country were not existence in the 1970s when the economy was better.
“The level of poverty and hunger now was not there because agriculture received serious attention and every family had a farm or a garden,’’ he said.
Ugwueze said that it was unfortunate that when oil was discovered, agriculture became a profession for old men and women in rural areas.
“Today, we are paying the price for that neglect because of the easy oil money.
“Now oil has crashed in the international market; we have no option than to go back to agriculture.
“Government should, as a matter of necessity, establish farm settlements in all the local government areas and pay those who will work there handsomely to attract others.
The activist said that with massive investment in agriculture, both local and foreign investors would be attracted.
“With massive investment in agriculture, the level of unemployment will reduce as the sector and other subsidiary industries will engage many hands.
“The level of armed robbery, kidnapping and other heinous crimes will reduce because the youth will be engaged in useful ventures.
“All developed countries of the world are able to achieve food security because they made agriculture a priority,” he said.