Former President, Olusegun Obasanjo has called for innovations in agricultural practice in Nigeria. While speaking at the AgriConnect Summit in Lagos, Obasanjo said when strategically harnessed, innovation and collaboration can tackle challenges confronting Nigerian agriculture.
Speaking on the theme of the event, “Bridging the Divide: Cultivating Collaboration and Innovation for a Sustainable Agricultural Future,” Obasanjo, also a farmer, who was the chairman of the event, said, “Innovation is very important. Land is important. But, without money your land is useless. You cannot do agric business without money and innovation”. Commending research institutes in Africa and across the world, Obasanjo also canvassed mentorship for young farmers.
The former president recalled at the event attended by Minister of Communication, Innovation & Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani and agric experts how he convinced one of his sons to embrace farming despite having PhD from the University of Cambridge in the United Kingdom. Obasanjo will be remembered for the Operation Feed the Nation, OFN programme, which he launched while he was a military head of state between 1975 and 1979 when he handed over to a democratically elected government. In retirement, before he returned as civilian president, the general took to farming, and his farm was visited by Nigerians and visiting dignitaries alike.
According to the organisers of the AgriConnect Summit, put together in collaboration with Obasanjo Farms Nigeria Limited, the initiative aims to foster a more unified approach to agricultural development.
Meka Nwabuko, managing director, Prime Agro Seeds Limited who was one of the panelists that discussed the role of technology in transforming agriculture reiterated the need for collaboration.