Kunle Adelabu
A retired Director Technical Services, Fisheries, Ogun State Agricultural Development Programme, Mr Femi Kudoro, has called for a concerted efforts in the development of agricultural programs if Nigeria is to have a turnaround in its efforts to have sustainable food production.
Kudoro, who presented the lead paper titled: “Management Imperatives for Agricultural Development In Nigeria”, at the ongoing 36th edition of the Farm Management Association of Nigeria (FAMAN) at the College of Agriculture, Lagos State University of Science and Technology (LASUSTECH).
The conference, which will hold between 7th and 11th October, 2024, is themed: “Emerging Technologies and Agricultural Development in Nigeria: The Way Forward”.
The Governor of Jigawa State, His Excellency, Alhaji Umar Namadi and the Vice Chancellor, LASUSTECH, Prof. Olumuyiwa Odusanya, were inducted as FAMAN Fellows at the opening of the conference.
The lead presenter, said that the agricultural sector is an important one that has been playing crucial roles in the sustenance of the economy through employment creation, food production, bringing economic stability and incomes for the among others, but faces severe challenges which prevented full development of its potential and urged that this situation should be the concern of every stakeholder.
“Agriculture plays a crucial role in Nigeria’s economy, contributing significantly to the country’s GDP. However, the sector faces various challenges that hinder its potential for growth and development. In order to maximize the potential of agriculture in Nigeria, there are several management imperatives that must be addressed.
“The Agricultural sector employed the lion share of Nigeria’s Labour force, which was 37.99 per cent in 2022, according to statistics. On the other hand, the Nigerian Bureau of Statistics (NBS) reported on Monday, June 20, 2024, that 70% of Nigerian households are engaged in agriculture. These figures are not in conflict as they measure different things, but they both reinforce the strategic importance of the agricultural sector as an employer of labour and a major sector of economic activity for Nigerians.
“With adequate budgetary allocation, strict monitoring and compliance, the Agricultural sector has the capacity to turn-around the economy by ensuring food security, bringing down food prices, fighting inflation and generating a good return on investment as it is not highly capital intensive.
“The current high cost of living crisis has drawn critical attention to the importance of the agricultural sector, especially food crops, livestock and fisheries. Food inflation hit an unprecedented 40.66% in May 2024.
He listed challenges facing agricultural development in Nigeria as top -down approach in project Design and Implementation; bureaucratic bottlenecks; research institutes’ limitations and mandates; ‘Japa’ syndrome and poor societal value orientation which is considered as one of the constraints to the youths’ involvement in agriculture among others.
Kudoro also said that agricultural development is not given prime focus by government, rather they are merely giving lip – services to Nigeria’s Agricultural Development.
According to the lead presenter, for Nigeria’s Agricultural Development to be sustainable and progressive, it is pertinent that the following should be effectively addressed and brought to bear. He listed Effective Policy Formulation and Implementation; Institutional Strengthening; Infrastructure Development; Funding and Financing’ Human Capacity Development; Technology Adoption and Innovation; Market Development and Access; Private Sector Participation and Monitoring and Evaluation among others.
He charted further ways forward, when he said:
“The design and management of rural development and agricultural programs in Nigeria, can only be progressive if the present practice is adjusted to the social and economic realities and proactive actions and ideas are given the right of place.
“To achieve this, design and management of Development Programs should be a collective responsibility where all the stakeholders will have inputs. To cap it all, Agricultural Development programs should be integrated with target beneficiaries seen as active, rather than, passive participants.
“Thus, the development of Nigeria’s Agricultural sub sector will be imperative if meaningful and sustainable national development is envisaged”, he said.
Prof Usman Haruna, National President of the Farm Management Association Of Nigeria, speaking at the opening of the conference, said that the FAMAN Conference usually provides avenue for stakeholders in the agricultural sector to interface and discuss issues facing the sector and proffer practical and workable solutions.
“The Farm Management Association Of Nigeria (FAMAN) is a professional body of academicians, farmers, scientist, researcher, entrepreneurs, techocrats and other stakeholders in the field of agriculture.
“It provides an avenue for farm and agribusiness specialists and other stakeholders in the public and private sectors to exchange knowledge and experience in an effort to reposition the Nigeria’s agriculture to achieve sustainable development.
“FAMAN has consistently held annual conferences around universities and research institute in Nigeria during the last 35yrs, discussing various aspects of agriculture with multi-stakeholders in order to enhance farmers productivity and income”, he said.
While stating the theme of the conference aptly captured the current situation in the country, Prof. Haruna also emphasized the importance of technology to agricultural development.
He called for adequate investment in agricultural technologies for a sustainable development in the sector.
“The 2024 FAMAN National conference theme is ‘Emerging Technology And Agricultural Development in Nigeria : The Way Forward ‘. This is apt and timely considering the current situation in the country where subsistence farming , using rudimentary technologies, will not bring about the needed change in farm productivity.
“Thus, there is a need for a paradigm shift towards the use of modern technologies in farming, for us to be successful .
“In this 21st century, technology contributes more than 90percent of improving different aspect of human life. Technology is a key principle of improvements of agricultural production, employment and income growth for farmers.
“The new or modern technologies, otherwise known as ’emerging technologies ‘ in agriculture, are innovative solution that enhance farming practices and productivity. They include advancement like precision agriculture, biotechnology, drone, artificial intelligence and automation. These technologies aim to improve efficiency , sustainability, and resilience in agricultural system.
“Distinguished participants , you will agree with me that investment in agricultural technologies is an important pre-requisite for achieving sustainable growth in the sector.
“Nigeria is blessed with abundant natural resources which, if harnessed judiciously, will lead to improved productivity. It should be borne in mind that any agricultural policy direction should be focused toward the small holder farmers, as they form the bulk of the farming populace across the country and are responsible for feeding its teeming populace.
“Thus , investment towards modern technologies in agriculture is expected to boost farming activities which is critical for increasing agricultural productivity, poverty reduction and economic growth enhancement.
“At this juncture , I am confident that the conference will record success and its objectives will be achieved in advancing and promoting agricultural development throughout the country . Towards this direction, the effort of the local organizing committee to ensure successful hosting of the conference is highly commendable”, FAMAN National President said.
Prof. Olumuyiwa Omotola Odusanya, Vice Chancellor, LASUSTECH, while declaring the conference opened as the Chief Host, also stated that the theme of the conference is timely, while charging academics to break more grounds in developing new technologies that would advance agricultural sector and bring about food sustenance.
“The theme of the conference, ‘Emerging Technologies and Agricultural Development in Nigeria: The Way Forward”, is apt in the present day Nigeria. It is a call for academics to apply research efforts at exploiting and new technologies to promote farming and Agricultural business in Nigeria.
“I am aware, as contained in the conference e-poster, that practicing farmers have been involved in the planning and organisation of this conference. This is commendable and shows the need to foster innovations and technological advancement between the researchers and field operators”, he said.
LASUSTECH VC said that the institution under his leadership is investing in agriculture.
“May I inform you that the university in its 2yrs of existence has IMPACT initiatives that drives the overall goal of LASUSTECH. The IMPACT acronym stands for infrastructural development, manpower training and development, productivity and prosperity of university community, A strong university culture of academic excellence catalyst for the development of Lagos state Agenda, Town, Gown and industry partnership.
“One can clearly see that this FAMAN conference fits appropriately into at least two of our strategies in this university of excellence. As a university, we are investing in agriculture business. An outcome is the availability of tomatoes from our university farm”, he said.
The host and the acting Dean, College of Agriculture, LASUSTECH, Dr Olatayo Ogunbanwo, in his welcome address, said that the conference, which has received both national and international attentions, hold great promises to bring desired changes to the country.
“This conference has received great attention not only from tertiary institutions in Nigeria, but also from abroad. I am delighted that you are part of this history making event in Lagos ( The centre of EXCELLENCE).
“I am not only delighted that you all gathered today as delegates from all over Nigeria and abroad, but I am thrilled by the promises, the energy, and the excitements this conference will bring.
“I am thrilled by the prospect of the contributions, discussions, exchange and sharing of relevant knowledge and experiences, the current discoveries from your latest researches that your presentations will bring to FAMAN, and more importantly, to the agricultural community in Nigeria. I am finally very pleased to welcome you here, and to wish you all the best as you begin your conference”, he said.
The conference continues parallel sessions and paper presentations.
