A Professor of Entomology at the Federal University of Agriculture Abeokuta FUNAAB, Adedoyin Osipitan has expressed concern over the high rate at which Agricultural land are being converted to residential estates in Nigeria, stressing the need to preserve such land for agricultural purposes , so as to address the current food crisis in Nigeria
Professor Osipitan who was speaking as a lead speaker on Tuesday in Abeokuta, during 2024 Annual Pre-season Meeting and Produce Stakeholders Forum organized by Ogun State Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security for produce farmers and merchants, also attributed most of the causes of climate change which is affecting farming activities to human activities such as reckless logging in the forest reserves particularly in the state, improper manner of waste management and industrial activities amongst others
The don who called on the State Government to discourage deforestation and improper waste management while encouraging industries operating in the state to embrace solar and other sources of renewable energy to generate power for their production,in order to create an eco-friendly environment suitable for agricultural activities to ensure massive food production in the state
He also asked Cocoa farmers to be mindful of chemicals being used in fermenting the crop capable of changing the natural brown colour and causing serious damage to the quality of Cocoa beans
Speaking on the theme of the event "The Future of Cash Crops In Ogun State:Land Availability,Youth Engagement and Climate Change Mitigation, the don urged government to always create enabling environment for agriculture to thrive by providing suitable land for farming activities, giving the needed logistic support through construction of access roads , providing high yield seedlings and sufficent water for farmers
The lead speaker emphasized the importance of encouraging youths, particularly thousands of graduates being produced yearly by universities and other tertiary institutions to take advantage of numerous business opportunities within the value chain cash crops production, especially during the post harvest period, where they can be engaged in the areas of processing and marketing of the produce
He then called for collective effort of every stakeholder to ensure bright future for cash crops production including cocoa, coffee, cotton, chachew nuts and rubber amongst others in the state
He lauded the various initiative of the Prince Dapo Abiodun's administration in the sector and leadership being provided by the State Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Hon. Bolu Owotomo, Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Mrs Kehinde Jokotoye and one of his successors at the Produce Department of the ministry, Mr. Adedeji Somade
Others at the event included the State Chairman of All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN) and Chief(Mrs) Adeoye Kusimo and State Chairman of Cocoa Farmers Association of Nigeria, Chief Sesan Sowunmi, and that of Rubber Farmers, Mr. Oladele Mark-Daniel amongst others
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