An Agricultural Researcher and representative of Satellite Host of Africa in Nigeria, Dr. Vincent Aduramigba Modupe has called on stakeholders and government at all levels to invest in Research and Development within the context of Nigeria Farming System.
Dr. Vincent made this statement at the grand finale of a3-day 1st African Conference on Precision Agriculture organized by African Plant Nutrition Institute(APNI) in partnership with the International Society of Precision Agriculture(ISPA) held at the Institute of Agricultural Research and Training(IAR&T), Moor Plantation, Ibadan.
He noted that the conference has been an eye opener to the participants, adding that it is important to train the younger generations in other to look at quality data that can fit into the world system.
“The world have become a global village, including Agriculture Research. When you are talking about Precision Agriculture, they are operating it in Europe, America and other part of the continents so Nigeria also has to join the train because the type of technology they have, we are also using the same methodology,” he said.
Speaking on the theme for the grand finale “Concept and the Nigeria conceptualization of Precision Agriculture,” Dr. Vincent said Agricultural technologies used in other country are also available in Nigeria, but “Government should fund research and here we have the expertise in the University in National Research System.”
“We worked in Kebbi and Ebonyi state, we have mapped the soils of all the Local Government in these two state using the concept and technology that we have developed and adapted for Nigeria,” he maintained.
A renowned professor from Obafemi Awolowo University, Prof. Akinloye Farinde, while speaking with CEOAFRICA at the conference stressed the fact that Precision Agriculture can be adopted in Africa, especially Nigeria.
Furthermore, he is of the opinion that African Youths should be trained in handling Agricultural facilities using digital information. “Presently, the trending thing is that the youth are in charge of controlling and having enough skills and knowledge of using Agriculture.”
For Precision agriculture to thrive well, Prof. Akinloye said farmers should have enough knowledge of using digital information. “We need to restructure our extension system and come out with a model that would train youths to be our extension agents,” he added.
Highlighting the challenges, he said establishment of data base, finance and political will, if not properly addressed could hinder the success of Precision Agriculture in Africa.
He said African leaders should establish data bank for Precision Agriculture so that there can be a record and proper implementation.
He however urged African leaders to have the political willand come out with a broadband and policies for result oriented Precision Agriculture in the continent.
Also speaking, a professor of Agricultural Extension and Rural Development, Prof. Lucia Omobolanle Ogunsunmi, maintained that for everyone to get involved in Agriculture, the government needs to make it more attractive and business oriented. “We have to include integrated farming system where you have all that entails which is going to be in form of a value chain.”
“The moment youths are getting rewards for what they are getting into, they will definitely come into it. For instance, in IAR&T, we have integrated farming where we have a corporate models- we invite them, we encourage, we motivated and we empower them.”
