Gov. Ajimobi canvasses synergy to boost food sufficiency
NAN-AE-15
Food
By Akeem Abas
Ibadan, Feb. 23, 2017 (NAN) To boost food sufficiency, Gov. Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State has called on research and academic institutions to close ranks and evolve pragmatic strategies to develop the agriculture sector.
The governor made the call in Ibadan while receiving a delegation from the Michigan State University, United States, in his office.
The News Agency of Nigeria(NAN) reports that the delegation was led by Dr Julie Harward, the institution’s Director of Agriculture and Youths Laboratory.
Ajimobi said that the reputation of the Michigan State University in technology was reassuring, adding that a synergy between academic and research institutions would be more beneficial.
He stated that the synergy would be beneficial to the youths in the area of job creation.
“A synergy with the Michigan State University by research institutions and our college of agriculture will go a long way to maximise the job creation drive of our administration, especially in the agriculture sector.
“Our state is blessed with vast landmass, good population and the presence of agricultural research institutions.
” Such institutions are like International Institute of Tropical Agriculture(IITA), Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria, Nigerian Institute of Social and Economic Research, Forestry Research Institute and Federal College of Agriculture, Moor Plantation.
“These institutions are capable of helping to train our younger ones in the college of agriculture through crash programmes of six to eight months,” he said.
The governor said that a network mechanism among the institutions would be of advantage to the state, adding that young undergraduates would have had enough training before graduating.
Ajimobi said the state had developed its own agricultural programme, ‘Agric-Oyo, ‘ aimed at creating over two million jobs for youths.
He also said that the ongoing repair works on the Lagos-Ibadan express way and the proposed rail project would boost agricultural production and transportation across the South-West Zone and other parts of the country.
Harward, in her remarks, said that the Michigan State University would be excited with the possibility of training 10,000 youths in agriculture and enterprise.
She said that the institution’s intervention initiative was aimed at reducing poverty and restiveness among the youths through productive engagement and training for self sustenance.
“We all know that youths in their large number would contribute greatly to the economy of the country if they are empowered through training to be self-sustained in enterprise and agriculture.
“We are happy about the developmental strides of the state, especially in the area of job creation for the youths.
“Without doubts, creation of two million jobs through agriculture would go a long way to reduce the level of dependence on government,” she said.
In the delegation were Dr Kenton Dashiel, the Deputy Director-General, IITA, and Prof. Gbemiga Adewale, the Provost, Oyo State College of Agriculture and Technology, Igbo-Ora.(NAN)
TAA/OJO
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(Edited by Mufutau Ojo)