Africa is often referred to as the ‘forgotten continent’ and
subject to various colonial conquest in order to seize natural resources, it is
now agriculture which draws foreign interest. Observers have questioned if this
is ‘a new land grab in Africa. Perhaps the 21st century will be the century in
which Africa establishes itself as an agribusiness destination.
Against
the backdrop of the unprecedented crash in the crude oil price in the
international market and subsequent devaluation of the naira, a case has been
made for more attention to be given to massive agricultural revolution.
Developing the nation’s vast agric potential remains the solution to the
incessant distortion to Nigeria’s economy by the market forces.
The
country left its economic fortunes to the vagaries of the international market
forces through excessive importation. Its high time private investors latched
in on the situation to help the government out by going into serious
agriculture.
We
should strive towards home-grown solutions as against imported ideas. The
solutions for Africa will not be to import solutions from overseas but to
create systems adapted to Africa. Africans would respond better to solutions
that were specifically designed for them.
From
the agricultural point of view, the opportunity for progress in Africa is
tremendous if the desires of the developed world can be matched with the
resources of the developing world, in a manner that creates sustainable
agribusiness and does not simply become exploitative.
And
what of the massive aid the west is giving to the developing nations? Surely
that’s making a difference? Again the exact opposite is happening. Most have no
idea that the money extended to the Third World is usually given with the aim
that the receiving nation agrees to stringent population control and economic
policies designed by the West. The leading characters here are certain
Non-Governmental Organizations responsible for collating statistics, designing
agendas, approving and disbursing the funds, as well as implementing the
stringent control policies. Such ‘loans’ have in the main, been responsible for
racking up the awesome debt beleaguering most Third World nations.
It’s
unfortunate that some African countries are still using the paradigm of
economic management formulated by the World Bank and the International Monetary
Fund, which tend to jeopardize economic growth in Third World countries.
Given
the extraordinary size of aid budgets, it has been argued that this same money
could have been used to eradicate world poverty and debt long before now.
Instead of handing over billions to corrupt tyrants who loot it away via
western banks, why aren’t these funds used to solve the real problems facing
these countries? Why doesn’t the west supply the target nation with clean water
to fight cholera, infections and dysentery? Four billion people on this earth
do not have access to fresh water and proper sewerage. Why haven’t proper
sanitation facilities been purchased with the west’s cash and deployed into
African villages to prevent cholera, typhoid and other diseases? Why doesn’t
the west supply the impoverished countries seedling, hybrid-livestock,
tractors, thrashers, harvesters, etc.? Why weren’t proper agricultural
programmes installed to help these nations provide themselves with a
sustainable food supply?
These
are questions most people ask themselves whenever Third World poverty hit the
headlines. Most citizens are surprised by the apparent complexity governments
bring to bear on such issues when the simple answer seems to be ‘Give a man a
fish and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and you feed him for a
lifetime.’
Helping
the Third World to become self-sufficient by assisting them with their
development seems very good. The confusion arises because most are unaware that
the UN and First World governments are implementing an altogether different
agenda-the systematic reduction of burgeoning populations that are viewed as a
geopolitical threat to the First World.
It is
not hard to discover upon visiting these poor countries that world hunger and
disease are not being addressed; they are the antithesis of what the western
hegemony wants for Africa. When Africa cries out for agricultural tools and
seedlings, they are given condoms. When Africa asks for food for its children,
the UN gives them safe-sex tee-shirts. When Rwandan women cry out to the UN to
bring an end to death by machete, they respond by pulling out its peacekeepers
and instructing AID organisations to send in the condoms and body bags.
African
leaders should foster an environment of creativity and innovation and as a
result, reestablish a stable society by drawing inspiration from ‘’the
operation feed the nation’’-industrialisation, progress, productivity-, by
clearly emphasising all the agricultural advantages and opportunities Africa
offers.
If
Malaysia can do wonders with oil palm? Nigeria with its abundant human and
natural resources, two of Africa’s largest rivers-will surely overcome.
Contact
us for consultancy or attend Jovana Farms seminars nearest to you and discover
many opportunities in agriculture. Can’t attend? Order for self-tutorial VCD
and book. Visit us at www.jovanafarms.com, E-mail:jovanafarms@gmail.com or
Call: 080 33262 808, for more details. Choose also the nearest venue from our website.
Source: http://www.punchng.com/business/am-business/agric-revolution-will-rescue-africa/
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