By: Abdulhafeez Oyewole
Equitable access of farmers to trainings on modern agricultural practices has been identified as a crucial solution to the challenges of food insecurity in Nigeria.
Guest Speaker at the maiden Agricultural Summit of Al-Hikmah University, Ilorin, Professor Olusola Kehinde stated this in a presentation on "Meeting the Challenges of Food Insecurity in Nigeria: Agricultural Technologies to the Rescue.
Professor Kehinde who is also the Vice Chancellor, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, explained that lack of access to modern technology by a higher percentage of farmers in Nigeria coupled with insecurity, hinders growth in the agricultural sector.
He maintained that for the country to move from subsistence agriculture to commercial system, research institutes and government agencies needed to empower farmers in the grassroots with skills to key into technological driven practices such as weather forecast, pest disease alerts, soil tests amongst others.
In an address of welcome, the Chief Host and Vice Chancellor, Al-Hikmah University, Professor Noah Yusuf emphasized that deployment of technology would make agriculture attractive to youths and encourage them to study related courses in higher institutions.
Professor Yusuf who decried the wastage of agricultural produce due to lack of knowledge on modern preservation methods and storage techniques, called on government to be intentional in their drive to revitalize the agricultural sector through technology.
Earlier, Dean, Faculty of Agriculture of Al-Hikmah University, Dr. Kola Olohunnishola said the summit complements the lecture delivered by Vice President of Nigeria, Senator Kashim Shetima at the University's Thirteenth convocation.
In a remark, Founder of the University, Professor Abdulraheem Oladimeji, said the summit could not have come at a better time than now when the world is being threatened by food insecurity and appealed to Government at all levels to sustain reforms in the sector.
Kwara Lens reports that the event also featured presentations from experts in the industry including Executive Director, Nigeria Stored Products Research Institutes, Professor Lateef Sanni and, Kwara State Commissioner for Agriculture, Mr. Olohuntoyosi Thomas.
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