The Nigeria's Agricultural sector has been described as one of the most important sectors in a predominantly agricultural society, which has approximately 70% of her population engaging in Agricultural production at a subsistence level.
This was the submission of the Rector of Moshood Abiola Polytechnic, Abeokuta, Dr. Samson Odedina while delivering a lecture entitled "Agriculture and National Development:Scaling Agricultural Solutions for Sustainable National Development" at the 20th Annual Lecture Series organised by the Alumni Association of the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta(FUNAAB).
He identified Services, Manufacturing, Petroleum/Oil and Agriculture as the major sectors contributing to Nigeria’s economy,pointing out that the advent of petroleum boom in the early 70s emanated the neglect of the Agricultural sector in Nigeria.
Dr.Odedina encourages Government at all levels to tap into the potentials that abound in Agriculture for job opportunities and wealth creation.
According to him, neglect of agriculture has contributed to low prices paid to farmers for domestic market in order to satisfy urban demands for cheap basic food products, despite the availability of needed resources like water, land, manpower and good weather.
He commended the contribution of the Authorities of FUNAAB for their collaborative efforts to sustaining Nigeria's heritage on Agricultural production through the scope of Youth Involvement and increased farm/farmers productivity.
While reflecting on Nigeria's targets for Agricultural transformation as at 2015 on Job opportunities for about 3.5 million citizens, Wealth creation with about 4 billion dollars and Food Security of 20 million metric tons to domestic food supply; the mapoly rector suggested Rehabilitation of Agricultural Research and Training facilities in Colleges, Polytechnics, Universities, Research Institutes and Vocational Centres as a possible solution to Agricultural system problems.
He added that, Farming- friendly -Government policies and projects, Modern Agricultural Education programs for farmers, Farm mechanization and Hand-on training, incentives for Nigerian youths for more engagement in Agriculture through Entrepreneurship education and credit facilities for start-up are capable to scale Agricultural Solutions for Sustainable National Development.
Dr Odedina enjoined governments and agricultural stakeholders at all level to secure lasting solution to the problems faced with agricultural development to aid its sustainability as it would further boost the upscaling of agricultural products for a sustainable national development.
Dr Odedina thereafter was recognised by the FUNAAB Alumni Association for his relentless contribution to Agriculture in Nigeria in the presence of the Pro-Chancellor of FUNAAB Barr. Aboki Zhawa, Vice Chancellor Prof. Felix Salako, Management staff of FUNAAB, Paramount rulers and other well-meaning Nigerians who graced the occasion #
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