ibironkeeniola The International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) has stated that a double-digit investment in the agricultural sector, aided by a vibrant rural infrastructural network would bolster the transformation of agriculture in Nigeria.
This was according to the Director General of the Institute, Dr. Nteranya Sanginga who disclosed this when he led his team on a courtesy visit to the Governor of Oyo State, Seyi Makinde. The meeting, facilitated by Debo Akande, the Executive Adviser to the Governor on Agribusiness, took place at the Governor’s office in Ibadan.
While citing the Oyo State Agricultural Policy framework, the IITA boss said that the state’s investment in agriculture had hit a downturn from about 7 percent to 2 percent from 1995 to 2017, noting that the new administration needs to turn the tide.
In his words, “No matter our good intentions, we will not see a transformation in agriculture if we continue to invest less than 10% of our budget on agriculture.”
In 2003, African heads of state in Maputo made a commitment to invest at least 10% of their annual budgets in agriculture. Sixteen years on, only a few countries have implemented that commitment.
Noting this, the IITA’s Boss stated that, “One of the countries that have fulfilled that commitment is Ethiopia. Ethiopia today, invests more than 10% and the country is witnessing a rapid transformation in agriculture.”
According to Dr. Sangiga, the government should be attentive to the reconstruction of rural roads (feeder roads) to help the transportation of agricultural products from the farm to the markets. He condemned the devaluation of infrastructure in several farm settlements in Oyo State and encouraged the government to tackle the trend.
He also called on the government to seek ways to involve the youths in agriculture, emphasizing that the inclusiveness was imperative for sustainability in the agricultural development agenda of the state.
On his part, Governor Makinde lauded the IITA DG for the visit, while reiterating the commitment of the state to work with the institute to achieve agricultural transformation.
Governor Makinde noted that his administration had identified four pillars: education, rural infrastructure, economic development (agriculture), and security to help bring the individuals of democracy to the people of Oyo State.
He emphasized that for the state to attain economic development, agriculture must be transformed, “because most of our people depend on agriculture for their livelihoods. Besides, through agricultural transformation, we will be able to provide the needed jobs for youths, the jobs we promised during the election campaigns.”
The Governor further stated that construction on one of the major agricultural roads (Moniya to Iseyin) would commence soon, adding that the road would ease the movement of farm produce to the market. He also said that discussions were in top gear with the federal government to rehabilitate the Oyo- Iseyin Road.
SOURCE: AGRONIGERIA