In sincerity, when the government of Kwara state celebrated the coming of the Zimbabwean farmers in 2005, I saw it as the normal "Nigerian thing" because it was under our very eyes that the agricultural sector that hitherto contributed over 65% of Nigeria's GDP was abandoned like a plague in preference for "Oil".

It may also be of interest to know that Nigeria is the world's largest producer of cassava, yam and cowpea - all staple foods in sub-Saharan Africa. It is also a major producer of fish. Yet it is a food-deficit nation and imports large amounts of grain, livestock products and fish.

How does one explain why over 30% of our population fall under the category of "Hungry" people? And why does 52% of the country's population live under the poverty line? It is indeed shameful that the country spends N155 Billion annually on rice importation alone, yet it is on record that Nigeria is blessed with approximately 79 million hectares of Arable land, pleasant ecological conditions and adequate rainfall. I think Nigeria can attain self sufficiency in food production and also become a net exporter of agricultural produce if the model used by the government of Kwara state under Governor Saraki is adopted as a national policy.

It is also suffice to mention that with just 13,000 hectares of land, the Shonga Farms scheme has changed the face of farming in the country. This also explains why you can see up to 25 to 50 metric tonnes yield per hectare for cassava, as against the national yield for cassava which is put at 12 to 15 metric tonnes per hectare and all other agricultural feats emanating from Shonga, Kwara State.

I commend Governor Bukola Saraki and the people of Kwara state for leading the revolution in the agricultural sector.

Yahaya Etila, Abuja Nigeria.