By Adebayo Olodan
Government at all levels have been enjoined to embrace agricultural mechanisation to ensure mass production of food for the citizenry.
A professor of the department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering, University of Ilorin, Joshua Olaoye, made the disclosure last Thursday during the 187th Inaugural Lecture of the institution titled; Gathering the fragments that nothing is wasted: Advancing Agricultural Mechanisation Energy and Food Sovereignty Catena” at the University Auditorium.
Speaking further Olaoye urged the Federal Government to deploy all necessary political will to implement already documented food security programmes adding that, “there abound sufficient natural resources that can meet the dire food sovereignty of our nation, the concern therefore is to identify,
According to him, no known spirit will come down to develop same for our use except to re-colonise us.
Speaking further, he said, “Industrialisation and urbanisation are related to a high level of energy self-sufficiency, it is recommended that concerted efforts should be geared towards the identification and development of a specific feedstock for renewable energy generation.
“Domestication of crops with high economic potential that grow naturally in the wild such as Shea nut and locust bean crops require dedicated attention. These crops must be adequately protected.”
The Don explained further that agricultural mechanisation reduces drudgery and makes a nation to be food sufficient. He observed that in many developing countries, agricultural practices continued to be based on animal and human energy. Insufficient mechanical and electrical energy is available for agriculture hence the potential gains in agricultural productivity through the deployment of modern energy services are not being realised,” Olaoye noted.
Olaoye said the machine and the chains of processing activities have potentials to spring up cottage industry that could provide additional employment in Nigeria. He stated that the invention would also prevent produce from being attacked by insects and rodents.
Prof. Olaoye however called for incentives for students of Agriculture whether basic or applied adding that “Postgraduate students should be encouraged to show interest in agricultural mechanisation and renewable energy studies.”
