Dr Abiodun Adu, a retired Obstetrician & Gynaecologist based in London with wide interest in so many things that includes Agriculture and food Security, was raised by a farmer Father. His thoughts and counsel culled from a group discussion is as below:
Ekiti State is not in any position to build the type of hubs Lagos is building. Pouring millions into agriculture may not necessarily yield the results we are expecting if we continue to neglect the basic foundational issues. We talk about mechanisation as the solution. Do we have the foundation to build on. We import tractors đźšś; where are the operators and maintenance crew? Spare parts and relevant adaptation.
Ekiti should liaise with the various Research Institutions and start with nurseries in the various Local Govt areas. Deploy agric. officers to increase output of peasant farmers, arrange cooperative and farm gate purchases, subsidise inputs, etc. These will not cost millions and obviously not very attractive.
The government should effectively utilise agric officers to have a solid foundation on ground. Private/ Public cooperation is good, but they should be careful of grandiose ideas.We may truly be in a hurry, but the old adage of Rome was not built in a day is still relevant. Other issues such as roads and security also play vital role in food self-sufficiency.
These young people think they know it all. It will pay them to listen to experience occasionally.
