- Gboyega Nasir Isiaka emphasized sustainable farming practices and modern technology integration to combat food insecurity and support Nigerian farmers
- Key recommendations included improved food distribution, addressing insecurity, and leveraging technology to enhance agricultural productivity and sustainability in Nigeria
Gboyega Nasir Isiaka (GNI), a member of the House of Representatives, has emphasized the need for sustainable farming practices, improved infrastructure, and the integration of modern technology with traditional agricultural methods to drive Nigeria towards zero hunger and agricultural prosperity.
Speaking at the 27th Annual Convention and 26th Annual Lecture Series of the Federal University of Agriculture Alumni Association, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), Isiaka highlighted key strategies to address food insecurity and support farmers.
He identified insecurity as a major challenge, saying about 800,000 hectares of farmlands were abandoned by farmers across the Middle Belt region of the country due to security challenges.
“Nigeria is at a critical juncture in its agricultural development journey. Despite possessing vast arable land, abundant water resources, and a resilient farming population, our nation grapples with a striking paradox: immense agricultural potential alongside persistent food insecurity and farmer vulnerability.
“The stakes are unprecedented with over 70 percent of our population dependent on agriculture for livelihood and our population projected to reach 400 million by 2050, the transformation of our agricultural sector is not just an economic imperative but a matter of national security,” he said.
The Rep member called for implementing multifaceted approaches, such as establishing designated ranches for livestock rearing, which can mitigate conflict between farmers and herders.
Isiaka called for a transparent and equitable land allocation system to resolve disputes and ensure farmers can access secure land.
The chairman of the occasion, Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim, said over 500,000 farmers were displaced from their farmlands between 2022 and 2024, due to insecurity.
He said, “Nigeria’s Agricultural sector has vast opportunities but is limited by sundry issues, of which the latest and most urgent are rising insecurity in farmlands across the country and climate change.
“Between 2022 and 2024, over 500,000 farmers were displaced due to insecurity, leading to a loss of over N2 trillion, according to the National Bureau of Statistics.
“In the middle belt, a study revealed a drop of over 70% in farming activities leading to shortages of maize and yam production.”
Bolaji Gbadamosi, Global President of the FUNAAB Alumni Association, announced that the association had acquired 2,000 acres of land for an Alumni Farm, a step towards promoting food sufficiency and supporting agricultural development in Nigeria.
The forum concluded with a call for a holistic approach to revamp Nigeria’s agricultural sector to meet future demands and secure national food security.
Discussion about this post