…Calls for Intensive Agricultural Mechanisation
By Durodola Makinde & Emeka Oluka
An expert in Agricultural practices and the Acting Director, Directorate of University Farms, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), Dr. Emmanuel Bankole has lend his voice to address the issue of rising food inflation in the country.
Dr. Bankole who was a guest on the radio programme, tagged “Sunday Morning Live on FM” at the studio of the Ogun State Broadcasting Corporation (OGBC) 2 FM, addressed the topic, “Tackling food inflation in Nigeria to ensure food security through modern farming.”
Dr. Bankole while speaking, noted the Nigerian government’s efforts to address the country’s food crisis have been deemed insufficient by some, as soaring food prices continue to affect citizens across the board.
He explained that food inflation referred to a sustained increase in food prices over time without a corresponding increase in purchasing power, and identified seven major factors contributing to food inflation, especially in Nigeria.
The factors, according to him, included government policy, global food problems, supply chain disruptions, high production costs, increased demand for agricultural products, currency fluctuations and climate change.
Proffering ways to assuage the situation, Dr. Bankole,
a former Chairman of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) Ogun State Chapter emphasised the need for mechanisation in agriculture to make it attractive to young people and increase outputs of agricultural products.
He stressed the importance of storage facilities to reduce waste and enable value addition.
Dr. Bankole highlighted the relationship between FUNAAB and farmers’ associations in Ogun State, citing training programs and collaborations that have taken place between both parties.
He advocated for government support to encourage mechanisation and also create an enabling environment for private-sector involvement in agriculture.
Commenting extensively on Nigeria’s past reliance on agricultural produce and the need for investment in mechanisation to ensure food security and export potential, he urged the country to take advantage of the demand for Nigerian products both domestically and internationally to change the country’s narrative.
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