ASHENEWS reports that former President Olusegun Obasanjo has underscored the importance of agricultural self-sufficiency, warning that Nigeria’s failure to prioritize food production could lead to dire consequences.
“Until Nigeria begins to feed itself, the challenges facing the country will persist. A nation that cannot feed itself is sitting on a time bomb,” he cautioned.
Obasanjo made these remarks during a courtesy visit by a delegation of Commissioners and Special Advisers from Niger State to Abeokuta over the weekend.
He stressed the need for Nigerians to invest in innovative farming techniques like soilless farming adding that innovative farming techniques are essential to sustaining the nation’s agricultural productivity and ensuring long-term food security.
He warned that without imbibing the use of soilless farming, with the current rate of land use, Nigeria could soon face a shortage of arable land.
The former President commended Niger State Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago for his transformative approach to agriculture, hailing it as a vital step toward Nigeria’s food security. Obasanjo. He likened the initiative to his own “Operation Feed the Nation” policy from 1976 emphasising that with modern farming equipment and techniques now available, the impact of such programs could surpass those of the past.
He urged other state governors to follow Niger State’s lead in advancing agricultural development to ensure that Nigeria produces the majority of its own food, thereby reducing dependence on imports and securing its future.
Obasanjo further encouraged Niger State to continue investing in agriculture and to explore modern methods to enhance current practices. He expressed his intention to visit Niger State to learn from their progress and exchange ideas to improve and add value to his agricultural endeavours.
The visit included a tour of a state-of-the-art soilless farm, where young farmers from Niger State are being trained in innovative agricultural techniques for eventual replication back home.
