Food Security, Human Survival Tied to Agriculture- Olusanya
Ms Abisola Olusanya, the Hon.Commissioner of Agriculture for Lagos State, has described agriculture as the spinal cord for food security and continuing human existence.
She added that the rice consumption need of Lagosians was calculated at a minimum of one trillion tons, whereas only a meagre of 50,000 metric tons is being produced while the whopping shortfall comes from other states and even foreign countries.
Similarly, the production output of tomatoes is grossly deficient compared to its consumption which is put at over 1.8 trillion tons, the commissioner pointed. Ms Olusanya, made the disclosure while delivering her speech at the opening of a three-day conference which was targeted at proffering solutions to food insecurity confronting the global society today, was organised by the Faculty of Science, Lagos State University (LASU) in collaboration with Alexander von Humboldt Stiftung Foundation, Germany, at the Makanjuola Lecture Theatre, Ojo main campus of the institution.
Olusanya speaking on the topic titled, “Advancing Food Security Through Good Governance In Nigeria under the central theme: Repositioning Science And Technology To Tackle Food Insecurity, Environment And Health Challenges Through Research Collaborations And Capacity Building For Sustainable Development”, described agriculture as the spinal cord for food security and continuing human existence.
She said that all sectors of the economy operate via a central pipe traceable to agriculture.
Agriculture is the key sector of the economy and it is consistently a force to reckon with “What we regard as the production, manufacturing sectors are basically hinged on agriculture. The clothes we are putting, especially the ones made of original cotton, are products of basic agriculture.” She said.
She reminded the captivated audience in the 1000-seater-filled theatre that the tyres of our vehicles and interior furniture are all materials that originated from agric-based activities.
She, therefore, tutored the audience on the need to get more active in participating in pro-agricultural activities, particularly to help the drive of Lagos State towards attaining sufficient food production for sustainable food security.
According to the soft-talking, yet erudite architect, food holds culture together, adding that the factors holding the economy are food security and the security of life and property.
She urged Lagosians, especially the youth to participate more in agriculture, no matter their primary occupation and professional discipline so as to reduce pressure on the workers’ incomes since less will be expended on feeding and as such the rising cost of living will be brought down appreciably.
On her part, Prof. Ibiyemi Olatunji-Bello, VC, LASU, in her opening remark, expressed her confidence that the conference would proffer solutions to the challenge of food insecurity confronting the nation and even the world.
Meanwhile, Prof. Odunayo Clement Adebooye the Vice Chancellor of Osun State University delivered the first keynote lecture titled: Tackling Food Insecurity, Environment and Health Challenges In Nigeria: The Potential Of Science And Technological Innovations Through Research Collaborations And Capacity Building For Sustainable Development.
Agro Nigeria / Foluke Ibitomi
