By Sodiq Adelakun
The School of Agricultural Technology, Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH), Epe Campus, Lagos State, has called for innovative and sustainable strategies to overcome the growing challenges threatening Nigeria’s food production.
Speaking at a conference themed ‘Rethinking Food Production in Nigeria: Addressing Insecurity and Economic and Climatic Constraints,’ experts emphasised the urgent need for concerted efforts to tackle insecurity, climate change, and economic hardship, which are undermining food security in the country.
Dean of the Agricultural Technology Department at YABATECH, Dr. Rosulu Hamed stated that Nigeria’s food security challenges had escalated in recent years, largely due to the combined impact of climate change and escalating insecurity.
He warned that the situation could worsen unless immediate action is taken.
“The challenges posed by food shortages and the adverse effects of climate change are enormous, and the time to act is now,” Dr. Hamed said.
He also pointed out that the government must prioritise securing more arable land for farming.
“Acquiring significant land suitable for cultivation will not only contribute to food security but also support economic growth,” he added.
Dr. Hamed further urged the government to collaborate with agricultural experts and stakeholders to address the pressing security issues affecting the sector.
The Vice-Chancellor of Osun State University, Professor Kazeem Adetunji, who represented the institution at the event, echoed Dr. Hamed’s concerns, stressing that both insecurity and climate change were placing immense strain on the agricultural sector.
He noted that urgent, sustainable solutions were imperative to reverse the damaging trends.
In her remarks, Dr. Folashade Oluremi-Aminu, Chairman of the Local Organising Committee for the event, reaffirmed the importance of such conferences as a platform for experts, policymakers, and stakeholders to brainstorm and propose practical solutions to Nigeria’s food production challenges.
“This conference serves as an avenue for informed discussions on how to create a more resilient agricultural sector in the face of adversity,” she stated.
The Managing Director of Royal Waterfront Hotel and Suites, Epe, Mr. Adeniyi Ogunsanya, underscored the critical role of agriculture in Nigeria’s survival and economic well-being.
“Agriculture is fundamental to the survival of any society, and this conference’s focus on food production is timely,” Ogunsanya said.
He also called for increased research and investment in the agricultural sector to enhance productivity and sustainability.
The conference, which attracted several experts, policymakers, and stakeholders, also featured an exhibition of farm produce by YABATECH students.
It provided a platform for exchanging ideas and exploring potential pathways to tackling the complex challenges currently facing Nigeria’s agricultural sector.