Tinubu should address issues of mechanisation, poor seedling, others- Adetoyi

The Former Commissioner for Agriculture in Ekiti State, Dr. Olabode Adetoyi has urged the President-Elect, His Excellency Bola Ahmed Tinubu to address the issues of mechanisation, poor variety of seeds and seedling and other problems bedeviling the agricultural sector in the country.

Dr. Adetoyi, who identified the problems while speaking to journalists recently, said Nigeria just has 7,000 tractors as against 2.5 million tractors.

The Former Commissioner explained that most farmers at this age still believe in the use of the crude implements, while there are less machines to enhance mechanization within the country.

“Issues of mechanization needs to be addressed as Nigeria just has 7,000 tractors as against 2.5 million tractors.

“Most farmers at this age still believes in the use of the crude implements, while there are less machines to enhance mechanization within the country.

The Agricultural Expert said poor variety of seeds and seedlings / yield gap is another issue as farmers need to make use of the high yielding varieties of crop to enhance production, and maximize profits, even as this will also help address the yield gap been faced.

Dr. Adetoyi stated that nearly all the states today in Nigeria scarcely have Agric. Extension agents, noting that their significance cannot be put aside as they play advisory roles to farmers, update farmers on new technologies, introducing high yielding varieties of crops and training of farmers on best practice for Agriculture.

“Poor variety of seeds and seedlings / yield gap: farmers needs to make use of the high yielding varieties of crop to enhance production, and maximize profits. This will also help address the yield gap been faced.

“Poor Agric. Extension services: nearly all he state today in Nigeria scarcely have Agric. Extension agents, their significance can’t be put aside as they play advisory roles to farmers, update farmers on new technologies, introducing high yielding varieties of crops and training of farmers on best practice for Agriculture.” He said.

The Expert also identified Absence of storage / processing facilities as a bane of agricultural development.

He explained that post-harvest losses today of farm produce is put at over 65%; Hence, there must be massive investment in processing and storage facilities so farmers can get value for their money.

Dr. Olabode advocated for the removal of land use act of 1976 because the system does not make land available for investors, noting that Nigeria has 33 million hectares of arable land, how many are available for commercial purpose and having Farmers and investors go through harrowing experience on land acquisition.

“Absence of storage / processing facilities: Post-harvest losses today of farm produce is put at over 65%, there must be massive investment in processing and storage facilities so farmers can get value for their money. There is no point producing for wastage. For example Nigeria produce 60 Million Metric tons of cassava, less than 12% is been processed for export, imagine there is concerted effort in producing say at least 50% of cassava production, all the participants in the cassava value chain will be smiling to the bank, as there will be job creation, revenue for government and industrial development. Today is a tale story.

“Land tenure system: land use act of 1978 must be removed. This system does not make land available for investors. Nigeria has 33 million hectares of arable land, how many are available for commercial purpose. Farmers and investors goes through harrowing experience on land acquisition. Land owners makes things difficult and giving investors and farmers difficult time while land acquisition is very difficult in Nigeria which does not happen overseas.” He said.

Prince Adetoyi is currently the Chairman and Founder of Value Ingredients Ltd Lagos with a branch in Ado Ekiti.

He was Director, Fountain Holdings Ltd (an investment arm of Ekiti State), Chairman Youth in Commercial Agriculture Development Ekiti State, Member Ekiti -State Covid 19 Resource Mobilization Committee, Hon Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security Ekiti State 31st August 2020 – 15th October 2022.

While he was Commissioner, he made footprints that were largely indelible. Few are, Engagement of Youths in Agribusiness {Training of over 300 youths through YEASA, IITA, IFAD, AFRICARISE, ABUAD}, Engagement on Development Strategy for Agro Cargo Airport, built and support Ease of Doing Business, wrote a new Agric. Policy Development for Ekiti State, Establishment of clonal gardens for seedlings so that farmers an have access to new and improved varieties of Cocoa, Oil Palm, Cashew etc.,