News in brief:
– A Nigerian agribusiness expert has urged government to prioritise agriculture to address food insecurity and economic challenges by allocating more resources and making farming more attractive.
– He emphasised that revitalising the sector will include efforts to address infrastructure, finance, and post-harvest loss issues.
Dr. Olabode Adetoyi, a former Commissioner for Agriculture in Ekiti State and renowned agribusiness expert, has urged the Nigerian government to prioritise agriculture as a means to boost food production and address hunger in the country.
Speaking to newsmen on the occasion of his 55th birthday, Adetoyi expressed concern about the state of agriculture in Nigeria. He told the reporters present that the decline is as a result of lack of incentives for individuals to engage in farming, and stressed the crucial role agriculture plays in national development, stating that it was crucial to industrial growth.
Adetoyi, who has 28 years of experience in the field, including founding the premix manufacturer, feed ingredients additives and veterinary drug supply company, Hi-Nutrients International Ltd., as well as attracting over a billion naira in foreign direct investment, called for specific actions from the government.
He urged President Tinubu’s administration to prioritise agriculture by allocating more resources and attention to the sector, recognising its potential to address food security and economic growth.
He also mentioned the importance of increasing incentives for farmers. Implementing policies and programs that make agribusiness more attractive, Adetoyi advised, will encourage individuals to return to farming and invest in the sector.
The agribusiness executive further urged the government to revitalize the agriculture sector. He said that this can be done by addressing the many challenges currently hindering agricultural production, including inadequate infrastructure, limited access to finance, and post-harvest losses.
