ENUGU - The Enugu Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (ECCIMA), has called on governments at all levels to set up farm settlements in order to achieve food security.

ECCIMA President Olisaemeka Jideonwo made the call on Tuesday in Enugu while addressing the 35th AGM of ECCIMA.

The theme of this year’s AGM is “Building Capacity for Private Sector Development: the Leeway to Sustainable Economic Growth and Development.’’

Jideonwo argued that future food shortages could only be averted by setting up farm settlements in partnership with the private sector.

“Unless this idea is implemented, the nation will be in great socio-economic crisis,’’ he warned.

He also called on governments to initiate and implement sustainable agricultural policies that would guarantee subsidy and provide tractors for farmers.

“The policy will also enunciate strategies that will enable our agricultural engineers to produce needed technologies to drive and sustain production.

“Land should also be made easily accessible while farmers should form co-operative societies to access credit facilities and embark on mechanised farming to replace the current crude subsistence farming system,’’ Jideonwo added.