Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma has canvassed the setting up of a special fund for agricultural research to combat food insecurity in Nigeria and diversify the economy away from oil.
He said since it has been established that the future of agriculture in Nigeria depends on research, technology, and innovation, there is an urgent need to put in place ,” a dedicated specialised research fund to aid research in universities and other tertiary institutions.”
Uzodimma, who spoke in Umuahia weekend as the guest lecturer, during the 12th Convocation ceremony of Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, suggested that the fund be called Tertiary Agricultural Education Research Fund ( TAETFUND).
The governor who was represented by the Commissioner for tertiary education, Professor Victor Nwachukwu, said a law should be made for a mandatory contribution of one per cent of the profit of all agro based corporate bodies, infrastructure and industries to the fund, while federal and state governments should contribute an equal amount from the tax to the fund.
He listed other potential contributors to the fund as regional organisations like Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Afenifere, and Arewa to facilitate research in agriculture to avert food crises.
Uzodimma, who spoke on the topic, “AGRICULTURE AND NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT IN A DIVERSIFIED ECONOMY:A VISION OF RENEWED HOPE THROUGH TOWN AND GOWN ENTREPRENEURIAL PARTNERSHIPS,”
noted that the future of agriculture in Nigeria ” depends on our ability to keep innovating, keep researching and keep pushing the boundaries of what is possible.”
He recalled that great countries in the world that are self-sufficient in agriculture, like America, relied heavily on research and innovation to achieve the feat.
“China and India have seen rapid mechanisation in recent decades leading to huge gains in productivity. Brazil has emerged as a major agricultural exporter, thanks to its research into tropical farming. So. Nigeria can not stand still. We need ways to innovate and push forward,” he declared.
He was of the opinion that any hope of using agriculture to diversify the country’s economy depended on the quality of research and associated funding from both the government and corporate organisations.
Uzodimma, however, contended that universities of agriculture, such as Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, must lead the way through research and innovation for improved agricultural revolution.
According to him ,Nigerian universities ought to collaborate with their foreign counterparts and learn from them the required techniques for improved productivity.
The guest lecturer particularly charged Michael Okpara University of Agriculture to avail itself of the opportunity provided by the Agribusiness Incubation Centre in the university to teach local farmers the new method of farming.
He urged them to “enhance the provision of more practical on hand training of students and strengthen ties with international institutions to share knowledge and learn global best practices in agriculture.”