Mr George Kabutha, an expert in agricultural seeds production, has recommended stable and long term agricultural policies to woo more investors in the agricultural sector towards enhancing job creation and boosting food security.
The seed expert made the recommendation in an interview with Newsmen on Monday in Zaria.
Kabutha said investors need stability in government policies which may last for at least 30 years to enable the investors stay and plan well towards stabilising the sector to achieve its goals on food security.
Kabutha, also Group Head, Administration and Finance of Value Seeds, noted with dismay that one of the major problems with government policies on agriculture was sustainability.
“”For instance, in 2013 there was the Growth Enhancement Scheme (GES) which brought a revolution in the production of rice or rice sustainability and improved the seeds revolution in Nigeria.
“”Several improved production companies came into the limelight; but come 2015, another policy (the anchor borrower’s scheme) was introduced into the agricultural sector,’’ he said.
He underscored the need for long term policies and financing plans to guarantee return on investment, stressing that a seed production venture needs between seven and 15 years facility to stabilise.
“”Whatever is invested in seed business for the months of May and June (to out growers) would be bought back (by the investor) in November and December.
“”It would go back to the market as seeds in April and May. Therefore, one has to wait for almost a year to get a return on investment; imagine working on a loan facility to do this,’’ he said.
According to him, it is important for the government to provide long term policies that will cushion risks and guarantee investment.
He, therefore, urged government at all levels to strengthen funding in the sector as provided by the Maputo declaration on agriculture.
According to him, such funding will enhance mechanisation drive which will also entice the youths to embrace agriculture as a business.
Kabutha also urged farmers to explore opportunities in public and private agricultural insurance schemes towards taming risk on agricultural investment and enhancing food production.
He noted that climate factors such as drought or flooding pose risks to farmers investment, hence the need for them to leverage on the opportunities offered by agricultural insurance schemes.
He hinted that plans had reached an advanced stage by his consortium to bring a private agricultural insurance firm to offer cover for the farmers using his seed varieties during the next rain-fed farming season.