Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma has advocated setting up a special fund for agricultural research to combat food insecurity in Nigeria and diversify the economy away from oil.
He said that since the future of agriculture in Nigeria depends on research, technology, and innovation, there is an urgent need to establish “a dedicated specialised research fund to aid research in universities and other tertiary institutions.”
Uzodimma, who spoke in Umuahia weekend as the guest lecturer during the 12th convocation ceremony of Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, suggested that the fund be called the Tertiary Agricultural Education Research Fund (TAETFUND).
The governor, who was represented by the commissioner for tertiary education, Professor Victor Nwachukwu, said a law should be made mandating a one-percent contribution of the profit of all agro-based corporate bodies, infrastructure, and industries to the fund while federal and state governments should contribute an equal amount from the tax to the fund.
He listed other potential contributors to the fund as regional organisations like Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Afenifere, and Arewa to facilitate research in agriculture to avert food crises.
Uzodimma, who spoke on “Agriculture and National Development In a Diversified Economy,” noted that the future of agriculture in Nigeria “ depends on our ability to keep innovating, keep researching and keep pushing the boundaries of what is possible.”
He recalled that great countries that are self-sufficient in agriculture, like America, relied heavily on research and innovation to achieve the feat.
“China and India have seen rapid mechanisation in recent decades, leading to huge gains in productivity. Brazil has emerged as a major agricultural exporter thanks to its research into tropical farming. So, Nigeria cannot stand still. We need ways to innovate and push forward,” he declared.
He believed that any hope of using agriculture to diversify the country’s economy depended on the quality of research and associated funding from both the government and corporate organisations.
Uzodimma, however, contended that agriculture universities, such as the Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, must lead the way through research and innovation for the improved agricultural revolution.
