Technological Approach To Farming:  Ogunsumi Proffers Solutions To Policymakers

A don in the field of Agricultural Extension and Rural Development, Professor Lucia Omobolanle Ogunsumi of the Obafemi Awolowo University, O.A.U, ile-Ife has called on policy makers in the area of agricultural development to invest in Research and Development to boost the Nations use of sustained use of technological approach to boost food production.

Prof. Ogunsumi, who stated this during her inaugural lecture titled; “Farmers’ Peculiar Treasure, The sustained Use of Technological Approach” at the Oduduwa Hall, OAU, ile-Ife also identified building of digital infrastructure and promotion of education and training as part of the activities that can positively boost technological agriculture in the country.

While identifying other areas, Prof. Omobolanle also recommended a robust partnership between the private and public institutions, while also stating that the establishment of a supportive policies will also go a long way in improving agricultural productions of the country.

Other areas of interest that can boost the technological approach, according to her, is to give rooms for knowledge exchange as well as ensuring inclusivity and equity.

However, academics bigwigs, friends, families and students, who aspire to be great, were all amazed at the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, venue of the 380th inaugural lecture delivered by Prof. Mrs. Lucia Omobolanle Ogunsumi.

The lectured titled: Farmers Peculiar Treasure: “The Sustained Use Of Technological Approach” was delivered to the amazement of members of the academics who all hailed the brilliant delivery of the erudite profesor of agricultural extension and rural development.

While delivering her inaugural lecture, Prof. Lucia Omobolanle disclosed that Nigeria is endowed with substantial natural resources, which according to her, include 30.2 million hectares of arable land, 12 million hectares of fresh water sources covering over 960 kilometers of coastal land with significant ecological diversity, which enables the country to produce a wide variety of crops and livestock while also stating that the country also good forestry and fisheries products that is backed up by oil producing opportunity.

“Nigeria has a potential to become one of the leading agricultural economies in Africa. (World Bank, 1997).”

She also disclosed in her address that “agriculture plays a pivot role in the non-oil sector of the Nigerian economy since 1970, however, agricultural production has stagnated.

“Food prices have risen astronomically, a rise in food importation has followed in response to sharp declines in domestic productions.”

Prof Ogunsumi was the first Professor of Agricultural Extension in IAR& T, where she has put in over thirty years of socio economic research.