BY ANDREW IKEHI
AGAINST the backdrop of a looming food crisis in the country, the need to adopt a holistic approach to farming has been stressed at a public hearing organized by the Delta State House of Assembly (DTHA).
It was a one-day public hearing on a bill to establish the Delta State Food Security Agency.
The public hearing held at the instance of the Delta State House of Assembly Joint committee on Agriculture and Natural resources, Special Committee on Food and Nutrition, was upbeat that with the adoption of a holistic approach to farming, the State would be a step ahead mitigating the already increasing impact of hunger in the state and country.
Speaking at the Public hearing which was attended by relevant stakeholders in the State, the Chairman, House of Assembly joint Committee on Agriculture and Natural resources, Special Committee on Food and Nutrition, Hon. Perkins Umukoro said that the State Assembly is committed to making laws that would positively impact on the lives and welfare of Deltans.
Flanked by other members of the Joint committee who included; Oloye Pereotu, Benson Obire, Alfred Martins, Spencer Owhofa, Bino Obowomano, the Chairman assured that the joint committee will further scrutinize the input and submissions from stakeholders which will be contained in their report to the house.
Speaking In an interview with journalists shortly after the public hearing, Hon. Umukoro, Chief Whip of the house, and member representing Sapele Constituency, stressed on the importance of the Food Security Agency bill, saying the only way out of hunger which is a national issue is to adopt a holistic approach to farming; thereby providing food and reducing the cost of food items.
“The essence of the bill is to encourage everyone to go back to farming and by so doing, there will be surplus food for everyone” Umukoro stated.
The public hearing exercise had in attendance, stakeholders from the ministries of Agriculture and Natural resources, Justice as well as Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs.
