An agricultural engineer, Prof. Zinash Osunde, has outlined strategies for Nigeria to achieve food security through sustainable agriculture practices and the reduction of post-harvest losses.
Prof. Osunde, who is the pioneer Chairman of the Association of Professional Women Engineers of Nigeria (APWEN), Minna Branch, shared her insights during the Annual General Meeting of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), Minna Branch, on Saturday.
The paper she presented was titled “Innovative Strategies for Enhancing Food Security Through Sustainable Agriculture: Balancing Efficiency and Environmental Impact.”
She emphasised the critical role of food security in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) but noted that current statistics reveal a concerning challenge in Nigeria.
Osunde stressed the need to enhance the capacity of smallholder farmers, who account for 95 per cent of Nigeria’s at-risk population, to bridge the gap in the country’s food production system.
“More than 72 percent of smallholder farmers live below the poverty line due to a lack of access to markets and market information, minimal government support, poor access to credit, and the high cost of farm inputs,” Osunde stated.
She also highlighted the importance of considering the environmental impact of agriculture.
“While striving for food sufficiency, we must prioritize sustainable agricultural practices. We must balance environmental health with the need to meet current food demands without compromising the needs of future generations,” she said.
Osunde encouraged the adoption of climate-smart solutions, conservation agriculture, agroforestry, and the use of environmentally friendly fertilizers, while also integrating pest management strategies.
She further emphasized the role of innovations such as biotechnology, precision agriculture, and renewable energy in ensuring sustainable agriculture.
“Biotechnology can improve soil health, while precision agriculture, utilizing AI, can reduce farm inputs by 50 percent and increase soil yield by up to 12 percent,” she explained.
Additionally, Prof. Osunde recommended leveraging technology to make agriculture more appealing to young people and promoting efficient financing methods for smallholder farmers.
She also advocated for the conversion of agricultural byproducts into energy sources.
Prof. Osunde has served as a consultant to the NALDA and FADAMA II programs in six northern states.
She is a member of several professional bodies, including the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), the Nigerian Institution of Agricultural Engineers (FNIAE), the Association of Professional Women Engineers of Nigeria (APWEN), the International Network of Women Engineers and Scientists (ICWES), and the National Association of Women in Academics (NAWACS).
