The inaugural lecturer at the 28th Inaugural Lecture at Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso, Professor Gbemiga Adewale has called on the Federal Government to revisit the agricultural development blueprint submitted by the former Minister for Agriculture, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina.
Professor Adewale made this appeal while delivering the 28th Inaugural Lecture at the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso on Thursday, May 2, 2019.
Adewale posited that the blueprint comprises of programmes that could boost agricultural production and enhance the development of Agriculture in Nigeria as well as boosting food production, improve Agriculture for food, fibre, fuel and raw materials .
The lecturer who spoke on the topic; Agricultural Development Programmes in Nigeria, problems, feasible Impacts and opportunities, posited that agricultural development programmes in Nigeria have made feasible and positive impacts in the Country.
According to him, “Nigeria has boosted food production to some extent, and there is the need for improvement. We have seen significant increase in rice production, increase in cassava production and cassava roots to large scale processors and increase in the income of Cassava farmers.”
Professor Adewale said the country has recorded not less than 21 agricultural development programmes from 1960 to 1999 coupled with the recently introduced ones.
He listed the programmes to include; establishment of marketing boards, farm settlement schemes, agricultural research institutes, creation of ministries of agriculture, world bank – assisted agricultural development projects and national accelerated food production programme. Others are operation feed the nation, establishment of River Basin Development Authorities, Green Revolution programme among others.
He also spoke about the problems associated with agricultural development programmes to include; Problem of succeeding governments, political instability and interference in the execution of this programmes.
Professor Adewale therefore, appealed to both federal and state governments that as the nation transits from one government to another, the incoming government should please continue with the agricultural development programmes.
Speaking on the role of Oyo State College of Agriculture and Technology, Igboora in agricultural development programmes, Professor Adewale explained that the College has contributed significantly to agricultural development programmes by participating in Oyo State Agricultural Initiative,contributed to manpower development in training, capacity building through the training of FADAMA Guys and the Cassava Adding Value for Africa phase I and II and value addition to Garri production through the provision of modern Gaari processing factory, established in the College.
Professor Gbemiga Adewale whose 58th birthday celebration coincides with his inaugural lecture appreciated the Almighty for his mercies and protection over him and his family. He also acknowledged the contributions of his late parents, wife and children, guardians, teachers far back in the secondary school, Prof. Oluwafemi Olaiya who served as the former Vice Chancellor for FUNAAB, Prof. Janice Olawoye, past and current Vice Chancellors of LAUTECH, Management, the Governing Council Chairman of OYSCATECH, Prof. Gabriel Farinu and Staff and Students of OYSCATECH, his Research Team and Senator Abiola Ajimobi for giving him the opportunity to serve as the Provost, Oyo State College of Agriculture and Technology, Igboora and several other individuals who are too numerous to mention.
The occasion was well attended by scholars, Governing Council Chairman, Prof. Lateef Sanni and members , Management, Deans, Directors, Heads of Teaching and Non teaching departments, students union government, alumni of OYSCATECH and the Vice Chancellor of LAUTECH, Professor Ologunde among others.
Professor Gbemiga Adewale is the Provost, Oyo State College of Agriculture and Technology, Igboora.
