Nigeria’s former President and Head of State, Oluse – gun Obasanjo, has advo – cated innovation into the coun – try’s agric sector, saying it is a veritable tool to human survival and sustainable food security in the country.
Obasanjo, who said this while speaking at the AgriConnect Summit in Lagos this week, said when strategically harnessed, innovation and collaboration could tackle challenges confronting Nigerian agriculture in short, medium and long term.
The former president, while speaking on the theme of the event, “Bridging the Divide: Cultivating Collaboration and Innovation for a Sustainable Agricultural Future,” said:
“Innovation is very important. Land is important. But, without money your land is useless. You can not do agric business without money and innovation.”
Obasanjo commended research institutes in Africa and across the world for playing the role of mentorship for young farmers in the continent.
He recalled at the event attended by Minister Of Communication, Innovation & Digital Economy, Dr Bosun Tijani, and agric experts how he convinced one of his sons to embrace farming despite having PhD from the University of Cambridge in the United Kingdom.
According to the organisers of the Summit, the event was put together in collaborations with Obasanjo Farms Nigeria Limited, as an initiative aimed to foster more unified approach to agricultural development.
“At the AgriConnect Summit 2024, we are resolutely dedicat – ed to dismantling barriers and fostering collaboration among diverse stakeholders.
By convening leaders from technology, finance, government, developmental organizations, and agriculture, we aspire to co-create actionable strategies to surmount the obstacles faced by farmers and fortify food security in Nigeria,” said one of the organisers, Dr. Toyosi Obasanjo.
Speaking in a similar vein, another member of the organising team, Temire Egbe Bob, described the event as an opportunity to inspire the youth, adding that collaboration was key.
Managing Director, Prime Agro Seeds Limited, Mr Meka Nwabuko, who was one of the panelist that discussed the role of technology in transforming agriculture, reiterated need for collaboration.
Emphasising cluster farming and cooperatives, Nwabuko said: “Small holder farmers are at the heart of food cultivation and production and remain the dominant producers across the country.”
