Stakeholders decry food insecurity in Nigeria, as Crop Scientists meet in Gombe
……call for establishment of Institute of Corp Science
…….give reason for high cost of egg
Chima Azubuike
A Professor of Plant Breeding and Genetics, Michael Uguru, has decried the country’s food security in spite of trained personnel, urging government to ensure the establishment of Institute of Crop Science to harness its huge potentials.
Uguru, who doubles as President of Crop Science Society of Nigeria made this disclosure in his remarks at the Federal University of Kashere, during its eighth National Conference & Annual General Meeting.
Our correspondent reports that the AGM had the theme; Sustainable crop production and security under the emerging environment challenges in Nigeria.
He urged representatives of government institutions to harness the wealth of knowledge that would be shared during the technical session, stressing that if adequate attention was paid to the sector poverty would be mitigated.
“There is no gain saying that if sufficient attention is given to crop agriculture, Nigeria will have no business with poverty and unemployment. Many of the industries in Nigeria are crop based and their abysmal failure to perform in recent years is largely due to lack of raw materials, the farm produce.
“A clear example is the sudden drop in the manufacture of poultry feed and the astronomic increase in the price of eggs due to the scarcity of maize. It is an embarrassing paradox, that a country like Nigeria with vast area of arable land and a huge reservoir of well trained personnel in crop production is experiencing shortage of food at both individual and industrial levels,” he added.
He lamented why Agriculture in secondary schools would be made optional, while government agencies placed premium on English language.
Uguru added, “Surely, there is a disconnect somewhere. We cannot neglect crop agriculture and at the same time hope to feed over industries and citizens. Nigeria is the only country where English language is compulsory and Agricultural Science is optional. Perhaps, that explains why most Nigerians speak good grammar with empty stomach. Policies must therefore be redirected to favour crop agriculture.”
He called for establishment of Institute of Corp Science, adding that, “Now is the time to act. The starting point is to accord some recognition to those entrusted with the science and skill of crop improvement, production and protection. For instance establishment of Nigerian Institute of Crop Science and Food Production is long overdue.
On her part, Wife of the Chairman of All Progressives Congress, Professor Hafsat Ganduje, said food security remains top priority of the ruling party, saying that outside survival which agriculture yields, poverty, and hunger would be stamped out.
Ganduje, who was the Chairperson of the AGM said, “It pleases me, to inform you that crop sustainability will help to reduce poverty, hunger and starvation. Indeed, Agriculture is one of the most important factors for any meaningful socio-economic development of a nation.
“Agriculture is one of the cardinal and most important as far as this country is concerned. It’s one of the most important in the manifesto of the APC, because without food we can’t survive.”
On his part, Vice Chancellor of FUK, who doubles as Chief host, Professor Umaru Pate, presented a paper on the ‘Role of media in agricultural development in Nigeria called for the establishment of community-based broadcast stations to amplify challenges, advantages of the sector to the society.
“The way forward is the establishment of community-based broadcast stations, with strong collaborations and partnerships between stakeholders in agriculture and the media across the country. Support capacity enhancement efforts for media professionals to fully understand issues.
“Media organisations are encouraged to have active agriculture desks, units and teams. Encourage the Nollywood sector to devote interest and attention to agriculture in their films,” Pate added.
Our correspondent reports that Professor B. M Auwalu presented on the ‘Role of underutilised crops in improving food and nutrition security in Nigeria’, While I. U. Abubakar and A. A. Sadiq presented on ‘New and innovative technologies for sustainable crop production and youth empowerment’.
