FARMERS have been urged to seek institutional support in order for them to enjoy latest farming technologies and other benefits.
Making the plea was the Executive Director, Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA), Dr Yemi Akinbamijo, while speaking with the Nigerian Tribune shortly after featuring as the guest speaker during the closing ceremony of activities marking the 50th anniversary of the Inistitute of Agricultural Research and Training (IAR&T), Ibadan, on the topic: New Trends in Agricultural Research for Development.
Akinbamijo, noted that farmers must ensure that they are not without institutional support. “If you are without an institutional support, that is a recipe for suicide. When you do not associate yourself you are unable to buy fertiliser, you are unbale to get latest information.
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“There are farmer organisations that are federated up to the continental level. Farmers must become members of these various organisations, they can not stand by themselves. So if you see a farmer that is suffering, it is a farmer that has his farm under the tree.”
While delivering his speech, the Executive Director of IAR&T, Professor James Adediran, stated that the institute has built an extensive community of academics, farmers, partners, friends and well-wishers.
“Without any doubt, it is through the collective efforts and support of all these stakeholders that the institute was able to stand the test of time. It is also because of the generous support of our two parent bodies, the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, that IAR&T has been able to grow and develop over the past five decades.”
He stated further that:”Today, we stand tall before other agricultural research institutions within and outside Nigeria with a sense of pride, solidarity and distinction. We recognise the significance of of the anniversary that we are celebrating today and honour the vision of our founding fathers as well as the steadfast commitment of those who have contributed to building the institute into what it is today.” He concluded.
“Farmers productivity is being hindered due to lack of accessibility to credit and output market. Climate change has also become a major agricultural challenge of our time. The erratic rainfall, flooding and extreme temperature call for adaptation to reduce the effects of climate change. Thee is the need to strengthen linkages among agricultural stakeholders (credit, imputs, market) if we want farmers to remain in business and produce for both local and international markets.”