A Don in the field of Agricultural Extension and Rural Development, Professor Lucia Omobolanle Ogunsumi, of the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife has called on the policymakers in the area of agricultural development to invest in Research and Development to boost Nigeria’s use of technological approach to enhance food production in the country.
Prof. Ogunsumi made the call during her inaugural lecture titled: ”Farmers’ Peculiar Treasure, The sustained Use of Technological Approach” held at Oduduwa Hall, OAU, Ile-Ife.
She identified building of digital infrastructure and promotion of education and training as part of the activities that can boost technological agriculture in the country.
While identifying other areas, Ogunsumi also recommended a robust partnership between the private and public institutions while also stating that the establishment of a Supportive policies will also go a long way in improving agricultural productions of the country.
Other areas of interest that can boost the technological approach according to her is to give room for knowledge exchange as well as ensuring inclusivity and equity.
Professor Ogunsumi, also, disclosed that Nigeria is endowed with substantial natural resources which according to her include 30.2 million hectares of arable land, 12 million hectares of fresh water sources covering over 960 kilometers of coastal land with significant ecological diversity which enables the country to produce a wide variety of crops and livestock while also stating that the country also good forestry and fisheries products that is backed up by oil producing opportunity.
She also disclosed that: “Agriculture plays a pivot role in the non-oil sector of the Nigerian economy since 1970, however, agricultural production has been stagnated.
“Food prices have risen astronomically, a rise in food importation has followed in response to sharp decline in domestic production.”
Prof Ogunsumi was the first Professor of Agricultural Extension in IAR&T where she has put in over thirty years of socio-economic research for impactful agricultural development.
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