Experts point way for Nigeria’s food security
Labode Popoola, former vice-chancellor of Osun State University, stressed that commitment, passion, and patience are key for Nigeria’s food sufficiency, given its good climate and fertile land. Speaking at the 40th reunion of the University of Ibadan’s Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry, Popoola advocated for hands-on training in agriculture.
Adetola Ajetunmobi from Lagos State University of Education highlighted the need for a supportive environment and better use of fallow land. Adejoke Akinyele, UI professor, called for eliminating middlemen in the food supply chain to enhance food security. Kolawole Durojaiye emphasized the importance of processing zones, storage, and strategic reserves to minimize post-harvest losses.
The reunion honored top graduates, made donations to faculties, and included influential attendees such as academics and industry leaders.
Source: BusinessDay
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The emphasis on commitment, passion, and patience by Labode Popoola, alongside the need for hands-on training, highlights a crucial aspect of capacity building in Nigeria’s agricultural sector. By fostering a generation of skilled farmers, the entire value chain benefits from increased productivity and efficiency.
Ajetunmobi’s call for a supportive environment and better use of fallow land aligns with maximizing agricultural output, especially as arable land becomes scarce. Akinyele’s advocacy for eliminating middlemen could streamline the supply chain, ensuring that farmers receive fair prices and consumers benefit from reduced costs. This would also enhance food security by reducing inefficiencies in distribution.
Durojaiye’s focus on processing zones, storage, and strategic reserves is critical in addressing post-harvest losses, which are a significant challenge in Nigeria. Implementing these measures could stabilize food availability, reduce wastage, and increase profitability for farmers.
This highlighted strategies can inform policymakers and stakeholders, helping to drive growth and sustainability in Nigeria’s agri-food sector.
