Food insecurity: Agripreneur, Alao-Akala, others charge govt on youth engagement, policies to promote modern agribusiness

Agripreneur, Olamide Alao Akala has charged governments at the fedral and state level to  engage youths through policies that promote modern agric business.

This was stated during the agro-allied annual fair symposium in Lagos themed “Agri-Business in the 21st Century: Changing the Narrative,” where other top voices in Nigeria’s agricultural sector called for urgent reforms and investment.

Speaking during the event which was  organised by the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, LCCI recently, Alao-Akala noted that  government should engage stakeholders to promote the development of the agri-allied industry .

The entrepreneur further stated that it is time to change  Nigeria’s narrative into a situation of economic recovery .

She said: “People like keep engaging the agri-industry in Nigeria which will definitely help move the industry forward .That is why this symposium is meant to encourage people to get involved, I understand it is.

“Agriculture is not just about putting things in the ground, it is about marketing, so we need policies and regulations on prizes of farm products

“We need regulations, policies and government need to  engage stake holders so that all in the agricultural sector will be well organised. This is necessary so that people can determine how much they can make in the industry.”

In his speech LCCI Deputy President, Leye Kupoluyi bemoaned the country’s slow progress in developing its agro-allied sector — a sector with untapped potential to boost foreign reserves, curb hunger, and create jobs.

Most of us are spending 70 per cent of our legal income on food that is the truth. Farmers can still make money if they make it available for more people to buy and I think we need just to look into that.How  do we make food accessible for our people without resources running back? and that  is the reason why  the people  and government need to do their part”

Also speaking Chairman LCCI, agric group, Tunde Banjoko stressed the need to scale production and shift from subsistence farming to mechanised systems that can meet both domestic needs and export goals .

He said: “So we sensitise ourselves on the possibilities in agriculture, we should embrace modern ways of farming.We intend to change the narratives in the sector, we like to see a situation where a farmer can be successful and all his  aspirations can come to pass, where farmers can live in the kind of houses that they desire. You can drive the kind of cars you want. So that’s where we are starting now and aswell encourage the youth now to see the future in agric

“Also, there is need for Nigerian agricultural sector to scale production and shift from subsistence farming to mechanised systems that can meet both domestic needs and export goals. “

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