An Ilorin based farmer in Kwara State, Alhaji Adamu Othman, has advised government to take full advantage of Nigeria's agricultural potential to sustain the economy.

Othman, who is the Chairman of KAFAM Agro-Allied Nigeria Ltd., gave the advice in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Ilorin.

He suggested that all levels of government could take advantage of opportunities in agriculture to build the economy.

The farmer described agriculture as a reliable venture that can never fold up.

"The need to have daily food, if not three square meals per day, places agriculture ahead of other sectors in both the advanced and developing economies.

"Government at all levels should encourage citizens and the private sector to actively engage in agricultural practice.

"Food is an essential part of human life and without active farming it can be difficult to guarantee food security.

"Unless government encourages agriculture, we may continue to rely on the oil sector.

"Instead of government to give attention to agriculture, which we have capacity to harness, our leaders are only concerned with immediate needs rather than the future."

Othman explained that government still needed to do a lot, in spite of its transformation agenda in the agriculture sector.

He appealed to government to encourage more people to be involved in mechanised farming.