Prof. Lateef Sanni, the Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Stored Products Research Institute (NSPRI), has said that food security can be achieved through improved storage and credit support for farmers.
Sanni made the call during the Faculty of Agriculture, Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) 15th Faculty Lecture, Awards and 65th OAU Anniversary Celebration at the ACE Conference Hall on Thursday in Ile-Ife.
He delivered a lecture titled "From Surplus to Scarcity: Bridging Storage Gaps and Agricultural Practices for Food Security."
During the lecture, he highlighted the need for improved storage infrastructure and agricultural development nationwide, calling for stronger government support for farmers.
The NSPRI Executive Director explained that farmers require adequate support, incentives, and access to modern technology to boost food production and preservation across the country, stressing that sustainable agricultural interventions and policy backing are urgently needed.
He identified inadequate storage facilities as a major challenge in the agricultural sector, leading to post-harvest losses, food wastage, and reduced farmers' income nationwide during peak harvest seasons.
Sanni advocated for public-private partnerships (PPP), microcredit schemes, and the establishment of processing factories close to raw materials, to reduce wastage and improve efficiency in the agricultural value chain development process nationwide.
He expressed optimism that Nigeria can achieve food security through sustainable efforts, improved storage systems, and locally developed technologies, stressing that the gradual implementation of research findings nationwide remains very essential.
Earlier, the Faculty Dean, Prof. Adedayo Ajayi, welcomed all to the occasion and added that their vision is centred on agricultural knowledge and innovation for national and regional development.
Ajayi promised that the faculty would continue to play a key role in research and development in the discipline of agriculture and transform the faculty into the food basket of the OAU community and the nation at large.
Also, the Chairman of the Occasion, Engr. Olanrewaju Adeleke, who also serves as Managing Director of Peculiar Ultimate Concern Limited, lamented the difficulties faced by farmers, such as poor storage and inefficient transportation, among others.
Adeleke, who was represented by Mr. Hamidu Tadese, a graduate of Public Administration from OSU, called on policymakers to ensure sufficient modern storage facilities for research and to incorporate youth participation so as to avoid food wastage.
In the same vein, Gov. Ademola Adeleke of Osun commended the organisers for choosing a theme highly significant to Nigerian farmers, who face challenges of processing, storage, and effective distribution.
Adeleke, who was represented by Barr. Olubi Adejobi, the Special Adviser, Ministry of Political Affairs and Intergovernmental Relations, maintained that the ability to store products will help consumers have access to food at affordable prices.
Gov. Adeleke said that he has contributed his quota to bridging storage gaps and agricultural practices for food security through the construction of good roads, portable water, and other infrastructure for a more conducive atmosphere.
In his remarks, Prof. Adebayo Bamire, the Vice-Chancellor of OAU, who was represented, urged students to pay attention to the lecture, as they are the hope of the nation's future.
The awardees are: Prof. Akeem Tijani, who received the award of excellence in service; Engr. Olanrewaju Adeleke, who received the award of distinguished entrepreneur and friend of the faculty; Prof. Lateef Sanni, who received the guest speaker award; and Sadiq Oyindamola, who was named the best internship student.
Dignitaries who graced the occasion included Dr. F.O. Tijani, the Vice-Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture and Chairman of the Organising Committee, as well as Oba Muraina Adedinni, the Asoya of Ile-Isoya, Ifeland, past deans, Heads of Departments, and students, among others.
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