By Milcah Tanimu
The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has issued a call to action for the Igbo community, urging them to prioritize farming activities to mitigate the looming threat of famine in Nigeria.
Highlighting the historical significance of agriculture as Nigeria’s economic backbone prior to the discovery of crude oil, IPOB emphasized the sector’s crucial role in sustaining livelihoods and ensuring food security.
Citing data from PWC, which indicates a decline in the agricultural sector’s contribution to GDP and export earnings over the years, IPOB underscored the need for renewed focus and investment in agriculture.
In a statement released on Tuesday, IPOB urged Ndigbo to actively engage in farming activities, particularly emphasizing cash crops, to forestall the imminent risk of starvation.
Emphasizing the importance of self-sufficiency, IPOB called on philanthropists within the Biafran community to support local farmers by providing essential resources and agricultural inputs, rather than solely distributing consumable goods.
Furthermore, IPOB advocated for the establishment of Agricultural Cottage Industries to process and preserve agricultural products for export, highlighting the fertile lands within Biafra Land as conducive for agricultural productivity.
Encouraging diversified investment, IPOB suggested ventures into animal husbandry and agricultural research centers to enhance productivity and efficiency in food production.
In conclusion, IPOB rallied Ndigbo to embrace a proactive approach towards food production, emphasizing the proverbial wisdom of learning to fish rather than relying solely on external sources for sustenance.