Grazing routes: ‘Govt can’t keep applying 15th century solutions to 21st century problems’

Sunday Bamgbose, chairman of the Lagos chapter of the Nigerian Institute of Food Science and Technology (NIFST), has called on the federal government to adopt 21st century methods on cattle grazing.

He stated this on Friday in an interview with NAN, while answering questions on how Nigeria can ensure food security.

According to Bamgbose, there would be no positive result on food crisis if the country continues to use old solutions to tackle current problems.

“I don’t expect any positive result if we keep applying 15th century solutions to 21st century problems,” he said.

“Government needs to do a root cause analysis of the problem affecting food production and apply solutions devoid of sentiments.

“It is abnormal that we are still talking of grazing route in this century when we have better options in ranching.”

The chairman called on the government to adopt sustainable policies to ensure the provision of affordable food items to Nigerians.

He also advised the government not to consider criticism of some of its food policies as condemnation, but to instead look at the possibilities for improvement.

While encouraging individuals and corporate organisations to engage in food production to improve the current situation, the chairman recommended that families engage in subsistence farming.

Meanwhile, according to a report by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), on Friday, Nigeria recorded its highest jump in food inflation in December due to increase in prices of bread and cereals, potatoes, yam and other tubers, meat, fruits, vegetable, fish and oils, and fats.