A Professor of Animal Sciences, Babatunde Omojola, has urged the Federal Government to deploy improved technologies and innovation for solution to food shortages in the country.
Omojola, Vice Chancellor, Bamidele Olumilua University of Education, Science and Technology, Ikere-Ekiti (BOUESTI) in Ekiti, gave the advice at an international conference in Olusegun Agagu University of Science and Technology (OAUSTECH) Okitipupa, Ondo State.
The conference, the second in the series, was organised by School of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources, OAUSTECH and titled ‘Agricultural Innovations For Sustainable Impact Amidsts Global Emergencies’.
Omojola, also a former Dean, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Ibadan, Oyo State, noted that the emergencies, which caused the food shortage, was not only experienced in Nigeria, and had crippled agriculture..
The prof. said emergencies, such as climate change, pandemics, economic instabilities, environmental degradation and conflicts among others, had exposed vulnerabilities within the agricultural systems.
He also said the emergencies underscored the need for improved technologies and innovative solutions.
According to him, humanity confines are to face unprecedented challenges arising from climate change, pandemics, economic instability, environmental degradation, conflicts and food insecurity, across the globe.“These emergencies have exposed vulnerabilities within the agricultural systems and underscores the need for innovative, resilient and sustainable solutions.
“Emergency is no longer an event; It is our environment. In the last 36 months alone, global agriculture has been battered by converging crises such as COVID-19, which disrupted seed systems,
“Also, we have the Russia-Ukraine war, which spiked fertiliser prices by 300 per cent, and floods in Nigeria that displaced over 1.4 million farmers in 2022.
“Today, Lake Chad shrinks, conflicts displace food producers and one out of three Nigerians face moderate to severe food insecurity.“Wars fought thousands of kilometers away often arrive quietly in the fields of farmers who never heard the first gunshot.
“To address these challenges, innovation must become the driving force of agricultural transformation, emerging technologies such as precision agriculture, artificial intelligence, biotechnology, remote sensing, drone technology, climate-smart agriculture, and digital extension services.
“These innovations will enhance productivity, improve resource-use efficiency, reduce environmental impact, and strengthen resilience against global shocks,” Omojola said.
The don, however, said sustainability must remain at the centre of all agricultural interventions, adding that agricultural growth should not compromise environmental integrity or the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.
Meanwhile, Prof. Orimoloye Faleyimu, Dean, School of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources, OAUSTECH, said the conference was an avenue for promoting intellectual engagement, and exchange of ideas for national and international development.
Faleyimu urged other scholars, researchers and governments to apply the knowledge gained for personal improvement and national growth and development.
Earlier, Prof. Temi Ologunorisa, OAUSTECH Vice Chancellor, said the conference provided a platform for sharing knowledge and fostering collaboration.
Ologunorisa, represented by Prof. Foluso Adetuyi, Deputy Vice Chancellor, Academic and Research, said the keynote address dealt with exploring innovation to challenges facing agriculture, environmental sustainability and societal development. (NAN)
