Agricultural Economists call for rehabilitation of the sector

The National Association of Agricultural Economists has called on Government and individuals’ collaborative efforts to ensure adequate sustainability of Agricultural sector in Nigeria.

The national President of the association, Professor Job Nmadu stated this during an opening ceremony of Special National Conference and Colloquium in the honor of the outgoing Vice Chancellor of Alex Ekwueme Federal University Ndufu Alike Ikwo (AEFUNAI), professor Chinedum Nwajiuba, in Abakaliki the state capital.

Professor Nmadu eulogized the Vice Chancellor as he has transformed the history of AEFUNAI more especially as it concerns Agriculture.

“Professor Chinedum Nwajiuba is an Agricultural Economists to the core, he thinks Agriculture, sleeps Agriculture at works Agriculture”. Nmadu said.

He urged Government to increase the funding for research and development of the sector which would help to develop new technology that would serve as factor of production of adequate food and fibre to the expanding population.

” Most often than note, the prime mover for such development is economic research and that is why we are here to deliberate on the way and means that can lead us to fulfill the achievements of 2030 SDGs”.
He added.

The Vice Chancellor of Alex Ekwueme Federal University Ndufu Alike Ikwo AEFUNAI professor Chinedum Nwajiuba in a bid to make Agriculture an interesting discipline urged Nigeria University Commission to review the entry requirements for Agriculture program in Nigeria Universities.

“As I had always urged in various fora, undergraduate programs in Agric in most developed and developing countries range from 3-4 years, yet their certificates are recognized in Nigeria for higher degrees and employment“. He said.

Professor Nwajiuba said there is no evidence to the effect that Nigeria’ s 5-years undergraduate program produces better Agric graduates than programs with 3-4 years.

The Dean, Faculty of Agriculture, AEFUNAI, Dr Jane Munonye while delivering her lectures said Agricultural development in Nigeria is obviously hampered by the challenges before it.

“The challenges of Agricultural development in Nigeria includes:
Lack of implementation of Government policies;
Lack of social amenities;
Lack of access to Agricultural loans;
Lack of access to fertilizer and improved seedlings;
Lack of information;
Loss of land to Natural disaster such as erosion; and
Lack of storage facilities”. She enumerated.

Dr Munonye urged Nigeria Government to address those challenges.