Professor Alex Adisa from the Department of Agricultural and Bio-Resources Engineering at the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Ogun State, advocates for the integration of agricultural machinery engineering to enhance food security in Nigeria.
He emphasized that any country incapable of supplying sufficient food for its populace faces significant peril.
Adisa spoke on Wednesday in Abeokuta while delivering the university’s 88th inaugural lecture with the theme “Agricultural Machinery Engineering: A Key Towards Sustainable National Food Security and Industrial Development.”
He called for concerted national efforts to tackle food insecurity in Nigeria.
He said, “Any nation that cannot provide enough food for its citizens is in grave danger, hence the crucial role of agricultural machinery engineering in ensuring sustainable national food security and industrial development.
“It remains a grave danger for any nation incapable of providing adequate food for its populace.
“Nigeria must therefore begin to harness its abundant skilled human resources and leverage on successful research outcomes from the nation’s research institutions to fortify food security and industrial growth”
He elaborated on how investment initiatives aimed at advancing agricultural machinery engineering could significantly mitigate unemployment, effectively engage the nation’s workforce and youth, ultimately leading to increased food production and a notable reduction in hunger and crime rates across the country.
Turning his focus to the educational realm, he suggested reintroducing some elective courses as core subjects within the agricultural engineering curriculum. This, he contended, would enhance students’ learning experiences and better prepare them for future challenges.
Adisa also urged the College of Engineering to lead collaborative efforts among faculty members across various research fields to refine and commercialize successful projects.
In conclusion, he emphasized the importance of national collaboration, innovation, and investment in agricultural machinery engineering as pivotal steps toward achieving sustainable food security and industrial development in Nigeria.
