Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke has urged government at all levels and all stakeholders in the agricultural sector to put all hands on deck to ensure food security as a solution to the current scarcity that is plaguing the country.
The Governor who spoke through the Commissioner for Agriculture, Hourable Tola Fahseru gave the urge today at Institute of Agricultural Research and Training, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ibadan, 35th Southwest Research Extension Farmers Input Linkage System REFILS workshop and in-house review exercise held at Prof. Adebowale Training Hall.
He also reiterated his administration's commitment to agriculture and food security saying it is one of the major parts of his five points agenda policy plans.
In an interview with CEOAFRICA, the Osun State Governor spokesperson said there's the urgent need to step up to the challenges posed by climate change and the need for implementing research findings by all concerned.
The Vice Chancellor, Obafemi Awolowo University who also doubles has the Chief Executive Officer of the Institute Professor Simeon Bamire while delivering his speech commended the director of the Institute of Agricultural Research and Training Professor Veronica Obatolu for the successful organization of the workshop while tasking them to keep the flag flying.
Professor Bamire said that this year theme which is "Boosting Productivity of Food System in a Climate Crisis" is a timely one which addresses the emerging global challenges, including dwindling resources, erratic weather patterns, and increasing food demand.
While Speaking with CEOAFRICA he said there are representatives of all stakeholders in the Agric sector present who will form a synergy of getting research findings to the famers who are in the grassroots agrarian communities.
"The Institute stands as a platform to bring all the stakeholders together, we go beyond word of mouth we already have a synergy of all concerned"- VC OAU
He then charged the institute to focus on multi-commodity value chain agricultural research which aligns perfectly with national aspirations particularly in generating foreign exchange earnings through agricultural experts.
The Director of the Institute Professor Veronica Obatolu while delivering her address of welcome stressed that it is the collective responsibility of all stakeholders that research and extension activities are not only demand driven but also in tandem with specific policies and goals set by the Federal Government of Nigeria.
She therefore called for greater collaboration between agricultural research institute and private sector for the realization of the vision of diversifying the economy.
While Speaking with CEOAFRICA Professor Veronica Obatolu spoke on her institute's partnership with the private sector and the need for them to be more involved in bringing research findings to execution for the benefits of all and sundry.
" Usually after the breakthrough is look for private individuals who are in similar field of the discovery and introduce the technology to them."- Professor Obatolu
The key note speaker Dr Yemi Akiinbamijo who was former Executive Director, Forum for Agric Research for Development Expert identified the myriads of problems plaguing the Agricultural sector in Nigeria and Africa at large which includes crude tools used for farming to insecurity and political instability and also lack of youth involvement in the farming sector.
Dr Akiinbamijo called for a total revamp of the Agricultural sector, drawing on the power of collaboration, wide application of science and technology, reduction of product loss, producing more food on less land with less manual Labour taking a cue from China, India, Brazil and other nations of the world who are self-sufficient in food production.
Project managers from Ogun, Osun and Ekiti states took turn to give their goodwill message while commending the institute for the workshop and also calling for the proper delivery of discussed points to the farmers in all parts of the nation.
The workshop ended with a tour of the extension research activities by various affiliated institution and feedbacks on way forward were given by the duo of Osun State Commissioner for Agriculture and the VC Obafemi Awolowo University.
Other dignitaries on the high table are Chairman Security Committee Professor Akinfala, Dean Faculty of Agriculture OAU Professor Tijani, Provost FCAH and PT among others.
