Ondo Governor Aiyedatiwa, Mimiko Advocate for Increased Funding and Technological Support for Farmers
Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo State has urged governments at all levels to provide mechanized technologies and financial support to farmers to enhance food security across Nigeria. This call was made during the 37th Edition of the South West Research Extension Farmers Input Linkage System (REFILS) Workshop, held at the Institute of Agricultural Research and Training, Obafemi Awolowo University, Moor Plantation, Ibadan, Oyo State.
Addressing Food Insecurity Through Innovation
Represented by the Commissioner for Agriculture, Olalekan Emmanuel Akinola, Governor Aiyedatiwa emphasized the critical need for grants to be allocated to genuine farmers rather than political figures posing as farmers. He warned that misdirected funding poses a significant threat to national food security. "If farming and technology could work together, there will be food security in the country," he stated, highlighting the importance of integrating technological advancements into agricultural practices.
Governor Aiyedatiwa also called on researchers to ensure their findings reach farmers directly, rather than remaining confined to academic shelves. He stressed that practical implementation of research outcomes is essential for optimizing food production and addressing the challenges faced by the agricultural sector.
Keynote Address on Global Food Security
In his keynote address, Prof. Lateef Sanni, Executive Director of the Nigerian Stored Products Research Institute in Ilorin, Kwara State, revealed that approximately 800 million people globally are food insecure. Represented by Dr. Mariam Bola Aremu, he emphasized the necessity for sincere collaboration between governments and farmers to achieve tangible results in food security. Prof. Sanni urged farmers to adopt research-based strategies, particularly in response to unpredictable weather patterns, to determine optimal planting times and crop selections.
University Leadership Calls for Practical Solutions
Prof. Adebayo Simeon Bamire, Vice Chancellor of Obafemi Awolowo University Ile-Ife and Chairman of the Institute Governing Board, delivered a welcome address underscoring the urgency of innovation in agriculture. "Innovation must not be optional any longer; it must be foundational," he asserted. He advocated for the translation of research into scalable solutions, such as improved seed technologies, digital extension platforms, precision irrigation systems, and climate-smart agriculture. Prof. Bamire called on the management of IAR&T to engage closely with Nigerian farmers and government agencies to disseminate knowledge for improved farming practices.
Prof. Oluwatosin, another speaker at the event, echoed these sentiments, stating that the workshop's theme—"Transforming Agriculture through Innovations, Climate Resilience, and Value Chain Development For Food Security"—directly addresses the current realities of Nigeria's agricultural systems. He emphasized that food security is now a strategic necessity for national stability, economic growth, and social well-being, urging participants to forge partnerships and develop practical pathways toward resilient agricultural systems.
Former Governor Mimiko Advocates for Synergy and Price Mechanisms
Former Ondo State Governor Dr. Olusegun Mimiko, speaking at the event, called for enhanced synergy between government and farmers to prevent farm produce from going to waste. He specifically advocated for the establishment of price mechanisms to protect farmers from financial losses. "Farmers become the losers at the end when they have no one to buy their goods after investing lots of money into production," he explained, highlighting the economic vulnerabilities faced by agricultural producers.
AFAN Highlights Financing Challenges
Dr. Femi Oke, General Secretary of the All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), addressed the gathering, noting the absence of financial agencies such as the Bank of Industry and Bank of Agriculture. He identified financing as a major challenge for farmers, which hinders their ability to hire equipment and boost production. Dr. Oke advocated for grassroots engagement with real farmers, as opposed to political farmers who access loans without owning farms, to ensure that support reaches those who genuinely need it.
The workshop concluded with a consensus on the need for increased funding, technological adoption, and collaborative efforts to transform Nigeria's agricultural sector and achieve sustainable food security.
