1 min
In the past, we have had a time where our food system was very solid and effective. We were able to produce sufficient food for our populace and enough for export. We earned good returns and used the proceeds to develop some critical infrastructures in Nigeria. There were strong research institutions developing new products and improving practices to meet our then realities. We created the trajectory of our growth and it was consistent and impactful. And we still had to face our challenges; which were numerous but there was a strong political willingness to make things happen. Until the oil boom.
The oil boom era had adverse effects on the development of the agricultural sector, coupled with the population explosion; we couldn't meet up with our growth and we were no longer interested in solving our challenges since there was an alternative of generating revenue for the government. A broken food system was created by our nonchalant attitude towards the agricultural sector. Years later, we are still not catching up with our new challenges and realities, and the impacts are still felt till this date. But we need solutions because food security threatens our existence as a nation and shared prosperity to our people. We need a better story for the future and taking action starts today.
The future of agriculture in Nigeria should be premised on building young and dynamic farmers who strongly believe that agriculture should be a business and should be scaled with intentionality. Our greatest asset as a nation is our growing youth and vibrant population who are hard working and desire to achieve shared prosperity. We need a strong support system to build the capacity and skills to manage our agribusinesses. Also, we need to invest heavily in critical infrastructures to support our food system; new roads in agrarian communities connecting to major highways, internet infrastructure to access new information, market infrastructures amongst others. Our extension system of the future will translate from advisory services to information platforms. This is because the farmers know where the information can be gotten.
Therefore, we need to mobilize investment to improve our current system (budgetary allocation above 10%), leverage on technology, identify cracks in our food system and proceed with solutions. Lastly, we need to develop a blueprint for the food system we want to experience (effective and efficient food system) so as to work towards achieving it. There is a need for all stakeholders in the agricultural sector to chart a new course for our future and it starts today. We cannot afford to replicate our present state into the future; we need an overhaul. We have work to do and let us come together to start work now. Less talk, more action. The future is here, let us walk through it.
Yours-in-Service
Babatunde
The future of agriculture in Nigeria should be premised on building young and dynamic farmers who strongly believe that agriculture should be a business and should be scaled with intentionality. Our greatest asset as a nation is our growing youth and vibrant population who are hard working and desire to achieve shared prosperity. We need a strong support system to build the capacity and skills to manage our agribusinesses. Also, we need to invest heavily in critical infrastructures to support our food system; new roads in agrarian communities connecting to major highways, internet infrastructure to access new information, market infrastructures amongst others. Our extension system of the future will translate from advisory services to information platforms. This is because the farmers know where the information can be gotten.
Therefore, we need to mobilize investment to improve our current system (budgetary allocation above 10%), leverage on technology, identify cracks in our food system and proceed with solutions. Lastly, we need to develop a blueprint for the food system we want to experience (effective and efficient food system) so as to work towards achieving it. There is a need for all stakeholders in the agricultural sector to chart a new course for our future and it starts today. We cannot afford to replicate our present state into the future; we need an overhaul. We have work to do and let us come together to start work now. Less talk, more action. The future is here, let us walk through it.
Yours-in-Service
Babatunde
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