Bola Adewara tasks churches on small holding farms, food security

Churches have been called upon to take full advantage of the rainy season to engage in farming and plant food crops to ensure food security in the coming months.

The Provost of Elife Academy and producer of Mentoring Masterclass, Dr. Bola Adewara, who made the appeal during at a media chat said food production is no longer limited to those with vast farmlands, adding that with innovation and determination, anyone could cultivatesome crops, including yam, cocoyam, sweet and Irish potatoes, tomatoes, pepper, groundnut, maize, millets, among others by growing them in bags filled with soil.

Encouraging citizens to embrace backyard farming, container gardening, and other simple cultivation techniques that can be done in urban and rural areas alike, the Provost of Elife Academy explained that through this, families could significantly reduce the dependence on expensive market supplies and enjoy fresh farm produce.

Enjoining churches to go into real estate, educational institutions, hospital projects, he said: “If we work to conquer hunger, we have conquered shame and worry.

“Some big churches have acquired several hectares of land in different parts of Nigeria for farming. Small churches should do the same. By the time of harvest, they will have enough to take care of the widows, orphans, visitors and first timers.

“Taking to farming will also be another employment opportunity for the youth. Evangelism is best done when the stomach is filled. Jesus first fed the people before preaching. Empty stomachs cannot hear the words of God.”

Urging Nigerians to act proactively in securing their food supply, Adewarawarned against taking this planting season lightly, saying self-sufficiency in food production will not only ease the burden of rising food prices, but also foster resilience in challenging times.