All Nigerians have a role in food security —Obasanjo
By Adewale Owoade
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo says everyone, from policy makers to consumers, has a role to ensure food security in Nigeria.
Obasanjo said this in his keynote address at an event organised by Oyo State government with the theme: “Agribusiness for Food Security Initiative”.
The event was organised in collaboration with the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), in Ibadan.
Obasanjo, who is also an Honorary Ambassador of IITA, commended Gov. Seyi Makinde’s efforts in agribusiness in the state, adding it will play a vital role in Nigeria’s future.
He commended the efforts of women in agribusiness and encouraged them to do more as food security and nutrition would boost employment, foreign exchange and internally generated revenue.
“Everyone has a part to play in ensuring our resilience and sustainable food system, from policy makers to government agencies, seed producers to food processors, from logistics providers to retailers.
“Every point in the process is significant and that is why we are here today to look at how we can harness the potential that exist in agriculture as a business, not as a development project.
“We must join forces leveraging our collective resources to develop strategies and solutions to deploy innovation that exist in research institutes like IITA.
“The research institutes have done tremendous work, they have shown us what can be done, but any researched product that does not go into the hands of the farmer is of no use.
“That is where it is required, not in the shelves of a research organisation but in the hands of the farmers.
“The journey to all food security is a shared responsibility that demands collective action, unwavering commitment and innovative thinking,” Obasanjo said.
In his opening remarks, Gov. Makinde said that the state’s comparative advantage of arable land drives his Roadmap for Accelerated Development, to take the people from poverty to prosperity.
“It was clear that embracing agriculture was the way to go but it was also obvious that using the old method of farming would not produce the desired result.
“We need an economic solution driven by data. We need an achievable strategy powered in a new way of thinking about agriculture.
“One of the platforms set up to drive the new way of thinking about agriculture was the Oyo State Agribusiness Development Agency (OYSADA), headed by Dr Debo Akande.
“So, I will also say that Dr Akande has been instrumental in pushing the new way of practising agriculture in Oyo State and I can tell the whole world that this is yielding dividends.
“To achieve this, we will focus on partnerships to drive agribusiness, working with the private sector and development organisations,” Makinde said.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Africa Continental Director/Director General IITA, Dr Simeon Ehui, said the forum was aimed at addressing pressing issues on food security.
Moreso, to drive positive changes by leveraging major stakeholders to ensure a sustainable future for the present and next generations.
He added that collaboration, innovation and shared commitment are crucial to achieving food security, stressing that agribusiness development is necessary in the whole of Africa.
“In today’s world, the challenges facing our food systems are complex and multifaceted.
“Common change, rapid population growth and social economic disparities as it’s called needs urgent innovative solutions and collaborative action.
“The agribusiness for food security initiative is our collective response to these charges, aiming to harness the power of agribusiness and partnership to create a resilient, inclusive and thriving food system,” Ehui said.
In his presentation, the Executive Adviser to the Governor on Agribusiness, International Cooperation and Development, Dr Debo Akande, underscored the necessity of infrastructure development in achieving food security.
He said there could not be agricultural transformation without rural infrastructural transformation. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
