The President, Agricultural and Allied Employees Union of Nigeria (AAEUN) in Kwara, Kayode Ehindero, says exportation of yams will boost agricultural activities in the country.
Ehindero said in Ilorin on Thursday that yam exportation was a wake-up call to farmers to double efforts in food production.
“The direct effect of this exportation is a wake-up call for farmers to cultivate more yams because of competition in the demand for exportation and domestic requirements.
“It is a way of encouraging farmers to cultivate more so that they can make money because they are not third-class citizens; the criticisms are uncalled for.
“Farmers have the potential of becoming millionaires in the next generation.
“Anybody criticising the new development in the agricultural sector is not sincere and an enemy of farmers.
“They are only trying to limit agricultural activities to the local marketers whereas it is becoming a more lucrative business,” he said.
While appreciating the efforts of the government in supporting farmers in the state, Ehindero said that lack of storage facilities was a major challenge to farmers.
The AAEUN leader, therefore, urged government at all levels to assist farmers by providing off-takers to buy their farm produce.
He expressed concern about the inability of government storage institutions to educate farmers on the usage of storage facilities.
“Farmers will always want to sell their produce immediately but when the need arises, we want the government to support farmers with storage facilities,” he said.