Policy makers in the area of agricultural development have been urged to invest in Research and Development to sustain the use of technological approach to enhance food production in the country.
A Don in the field of Agricultural Extension and Rural Development, Prof. Lucia Omobolanle Ogunsumi of the Obafemi Awolowo University (O.A.U), Ile-Ife, Osun State, who made the appeal during her inaugural lecture titled: “Farmers’ Peculiar Treasure, The sustained Use of Technological Approach,” at the Oduduwa Hall, OAU, Ile-Ife, also identified the building of digital infrastructure and promotion of education and training, as part of activities that can positively boost technological agriculture in the country.
While identifying other areas that needed to be worked on, Prof. Ogunsumi also recommended a robust partnership between the private and public institutions, while stating that the establishment of supportive policies will also go a long way in improving the country’s agricultural productions.
She said other areas of interest that can boost the technological approach will give rooms for knowledge exchange, as well as ensuring inclusivity and equity.
While delivering the 380th inaugural lecture, Prof. Ogunsumi disclosed that Nigeria is endowed with substantial natural resources, which includes 30.2 million hectares of arable land, 12 million hectares of fresh water sources, covering over 960 kilometers of coastal land, with significant ecological diversity, which enables the country to produce a wide variety of crops and livestock.
She added that the country also has good forestry and fisheries products, backed up by oil producing opportunity. “Nigeria has a potential to become one of the leading agricultural economies in Africa. Agriculture plays a pivot role in the non-oil sector of the Nigerian economy since 1970; however, agricultural production has stagnated.
“Food prices have risen astronomically, a rise in food importation has followed in response to sharp declines in domestic productions.”
Prof Ogunsumi was the first Professor of Agricultural Extension at the Institute of Agricultural Research and Training (IAR&T), Moor plantation, Ibadan, Oyo State, where she put in over 30 years of socio-economic researches.
