Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH) School of Agricultural Technology, Epe Campus, Lagos State, has advocated increased efforts to tackle issues of insecurity, food production difficulties, economic challenges, and the adverse effects of climate change.
These concerns were at the forefront of discussions during a conference organized by the school, held on Wednesday. Themed “Rethinking Food Production in Nigeria: Addressing Insecurity and Economic and Climatic Constraints,” the event sought to find sustainable solutions to the country’s agricultural challenges.
Dr. Rosulu Hamed, Dean of Agricultural Technology at YABATECH, spoke on the severe challenges caused by food shortages and climate change, stressing the need for sustainable solutions to these growing problems.
According to Dr. Hamed, one of the key solutions is for the government to secure more land for agricultural activities, enabling farmers to cultivate more crops.
He noted that acquiring large tracts of land would help address food insecurity as well as contribute significantly to the nation’s economic development.
He called for collaboration between the government and experts to tackle security challenges and address the impact of climate change on farming.
Professor Kazeem Adetunji, who represented the Vice Chancellor of Osun State University, also noted that the agriculture sector is grappling with insecurity and the unpredictable effects of climate change.
He pointed out that these challenges require long-term, sustainable solutions to ensure the stability and growth of the sector.
In her remarks, Chairman of the Local Organizing Committee for the event, Dr. Folashade Oluremi-Aminu, noted that the conference served as an important platform for experts, policymakers, and other stakeholders to deliberate on strategies aimed at improving food production despite the obstacles facing the sector.
Also speaking, Mr. Adeniyi Ogunsanya, Managing Director of Royal Waterfront Hotel and Suites in Epe, commended the conference for focusing on food production and called for increased research to improve agricultural practices and outputs.
The conference also included an exhibition where students from YABATECH showcased various farm produce.