Agriculture
PROF. Lateef Sanni, the Executive Director, Nigerian Stored Products Research Institute (NSPRI) says Nigeria can achieve food security through improved storage infrastructure and adequate credit support to farmers.
Sanni said this on Wednesday at the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) 15th Faculty of Agriculture Lecture and 65th anniversary celebration in Ile-Ife.
The lecture was titled “From Surplus to Scarcity: Bridging Storage Gaps and Agricultural Practices for Food Security.”
The NSPRI director, whose lecture focused on challenges affecting agricultural productivity and food preservation in Nigeria, stressed the need for stronger government support.
He called for greater incentives for farmers and modern technology to improve food production, preservation and sustainable agricultural development across the country.
Sanni identified inadequate storage facilities as a major challenge causing post-harvest losses, food wastage and reduced income for farmers during harvest periods nationwide.
According to him, public-private partnerships, microcredit schemes and processing factories near raw material sources will reduce wastage and strengthen agricultural value chain development.
He expressed optimism that sustainable policies, improved storage systems and locally-developed technologies would enhance food security and support gradual nationwide implementation of agricultural research findings.
Earlier, the Dean of the Faculty, Prof. Adedayo Ajayi, said the faculty remained committed to agricultural innovation, research and national development through knowledge-driven initiatives.
Ajayi added that the faculty would continue to promote research and transform the institution into a major food production and agricultural development centre within the university community.
Chairman of the occasion, Mr Olanrewaju Adeleke, represented by Mr Hamidu Tadese, lamented farmers’ challenges, including poor storage facilities and inefficient transportation systems nationwide.
Gov. Ademola Adeleke of Osun, represented by Mr Olubi Adejobi, said improved storage systems would guarantee affordable food access and reduce agricultural losses across Nigeria.
In his remarks, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Adebayo Bamire, applauded the faculty for its commitment to training and research to facilitate agriculture development
Bamire, who was represented by Prof. Lasisi Umoru, Dean, Faculty of Technology, urged the participants to see the event as opportunity to proffer solutions to the country’s challenges in the area of agriculture.
Highlights of the event included presentation of awards to Prof. Akeem Tijani, Mr Olanrewaju Adeleke, Prof. Lateef Sanni and Sadiq Oyindamola for outstanding contributions. (NAN)
Tags: food security