Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, has called for the creation of a specialized fund for agricultural research to address food insecurity and reduce Nigeria’s dependence on oil.
Speaking as the guest lecturer during the 12th Convocation Ceremony of Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Uzodimma stressed the need for research, technology, and innovation to secure the future of agriculture in Nigeria.
He proposed the establishment of a Tertiary Agricultural Education Research Fund (TAETFUND) dedicated to advancing agricultural research in universities and other tertiary institutions.
Represented by the Commissioner for Tertiary Education, Professor Victor Nwachukwu, the governor advocated for legislation mandating agro-based corporations, infrastructure firms, and industries to contribute one percent of their profits to the fund.
He also urged federal and state governments to allocate an equal percentage from tax revenues to support the initiative.
Uzodimma further suggested that regional organizations such as Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Afenifere, and Arewa could also contribute to the fund to promote agricultural research and avert potential food crises.
Uzodimma, who spoke on the topic, “Agriculture and National Development in a Diversified Economy: A Vision of Renewed Hope Through Town and Gown Entrepreneursial Partnerships,”
noted that the future of agriculture in Nigeria ” depends on our ability to keep innovating, keep researching and keep pushing the boundaries of what is possible.”
He recalled that great countries in the world that are self-sufficient in agriculture, like America, relied heavily on research and innovation to achieve the feat.
China and India have seen rapid mechanisation in recent decades leading to huge gains in productivity. Brazil has emerged as a major agricultural exporter, thanks to its research into tropical farming. So. Nigeria can not stand still. We need ways to innovate and push forward,” he declared.
He was of the opinion that any hope of using agriculture to diversify the country’s economy depended on the quality of research and associated funding from both the government and corporate organisations.
Uzodimma, however, contended that universities of agriculture, such as Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, must lead the way through research and innovation for improved agricultural revolution.
According to him ,Nigerian universities ought to collaborate with their foreign counterparts and learn from them the required techniques for improved productivity.
The guest lecturer particularly charged Michael Okpara University of Agriculture to avail itself of the opportunity provided by the Agribusiness Incubation Centre in the university to teach local farmers the new method of farming.
He urged them to “enhance the provision of more practical on hand training of students and strengthen ties with international institutions to share knowledge and learn global best practices in agriculture.”
