AAUA VC urges Buhari to invest in Agriculture for food security

President Muhammadu Buhari has been urged to invest in Agriculture to ensure food security in the country and reduce spending on food importation.

The Vice-Chancellor of the Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba Akoko (AAUA), Ondo State, Prof. Igbekele Ajibefun, said this on Monday at the Humboldt International conference held at the Osun State University (OSU), Osogbo.

Ajibefun said the government is not paying enough attention to agriculture which is facing a lot of challenges, despite being one of the country's most important sectors.

"It is obvious that agriculture faces a lot of challenges in Nigeria," the don said.

"But rather than address the problem our government spends so much money on food importation.

The Professor noted that investing in Agriculture will ensure food security as well as create more jobs.

READ: AAUA VC sets 10-point agenda for Buhari, others at 69 FUTA inaugural lecture

“Nigeria needs to pay more attention to research in sciences and on how to improve agriculture in rural area.

"This will help farmers and the nation at large.”

Ajibefun, a Professor of Agricultural Economics, is a strong advocate of agricultural investment.

In his lecture at the 69th Inaugural lecture of the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA), Ondo state, on Tuesday, June 2nd 2015, he called for "heavy investment in research and development and effective interaction between researchers and the farm households" to raise "agricultural productivity and poverty reduction."