Food Security: Former President Recommends Involvement Of States In Agribusiness 

Likewise, Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State reiterated his commitment to making the state a modern agribusiness hub in Sub-Saharan Africa, promising to give more support to farmers and improve infrastructure and security, with a view to attracting large investments in agriculture to the state.

The two leaders spoke on Monday in their separate remarks at an event themed, “Agribusiness for Food Security Initiative”, held at the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture, (IITA), Ibadan, Oyo State capital.

Delivering a keynote address, Obasanjo, who is also an Honorary Ambassador of IITA, said agribusiness will play a vital role in the future of the country, noting that state governments have more to do in the area of agribusiness than the Federal Government since the states have the landmass, resources, manpower, innovations, and infrastructure to develop holistic strategies for food security.

He commended the efforts of women in agribusiness and also encouraged them to do more as food security and food nutrition will go a long way in providing more employment, boost foreign exchange and increase internally generated revenue.

In his opening remark, Governor Makinde stated that his government remained resolute in bringing prosperity to the state and will continue to support youths, saying he had thought of how to take the people from poverty to prosperity in his Roadmap for Accelerated Development.

He noted that given the state’s comparative advantage of arable land, it is clear that embracing agriculture is the way to go, but using the old method of farming will not produce the desired result, asserting that Oyo State becoming a modern agribusiness hub in Sub-Saharan Africa would require the attraction of large investments in agriculture.

Makinde stated that to attract the kind of investments needed, the state will need to provide adequate infrastructure and security, disclosing that although the state, under his watch, had done so well with the provision of infrastructure and security, it would still do more to buoy investors’ confidence.

The governor further said developing the Fasola Industrial Hub has provided the state a learning opportunity that will come in handy as the state embarks on building the Eruwa and Akufo industrial hubs, and lauded the IITA for helping the state with high quality seeds which are propelling increased productivity in the state.

Earlier in his address of welcome, the Africa Continental Director CGIAR/Director General IITA, Dr Simeon Ehui, said the forum was aimed at addressing pressing issues on food security and to drive positive changes by leveraging major stakeholders to ensure a sustainable future for the present and next generations.

Ehui noted that collaboration, innovation and shared commitment are crucial to achieving food security, stressing that agribusiness development is necessary in the whole of Africa.

In his presentation, the Executive Adviser to the Governor on Agribusiness, International Cooperation and Development, Dr Debo Akande, underscored the necessity of infrastructure development in achieving food security, saying there cannot be agricultural transformation without rural infrastructural transformation.

Some beneficiaries of the Oyo State Youth Entrepreneurship in Agribusiness Project (YEAP), Ibukunoluwa Tubi and Dolapo Opekun, lauded the initiative which they said has brought hope to youths, and thanked Governor Makinde for empowering and supporting youths.