YABATECH seeks strategies to improve food production despite challenges

The School of Agricultural Technology, Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH), Epe Campus, Lagos State, has ended a three-day conference to address insecurity, food production challenges, economic downturn and climate change effects.

The conference, which started on Monday at the college’s premises, had the theme: ‘Rethinking Food Production in Nigeria: Addressing Insecurity and Economic and Climatic Constraints’

Dr Rosulu Hamed, Dean of Agricultural Technology, YABATECH, said at the event that challenges posed by food shortages and climate change were enormous.

He said there was need for sustainable solutions.

According to him, part of the solutions will be for governments to secure more lands for farming.

“Acquiring significant land suitable for cultivation will contribute to the development of the economy..

“Government, in conjunction with experts, should address security challenges and climate change effects on food production, ” he said.

The Vice-Chancellor, Osun State University, represented by Prof. Kazeem Adetunji, said that challenges posed on the agriculture sector by insecurity and climate change needed sustainable solutions.

The Chairman of the event’s Local Organising Committee, Dr Folashade Oluremi-Aminu, said that the conference served as a platform for experts, policymakers and other stakeholders to discuss strategies for improving food production in spite of challenges.

Mr Adeniyi Ogunsanya, Managing Director, Royal Waterfront Hotel and Suites, Epe, said that agriculture was fundamental to the survival of any society.

The managing director described the conference as timely, saying that its focus on food production was commendable.

He called for more research to enhance agriculture.

NAN reports that the event featured exhibition of farm produce by students of the college.