Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State has stated that food security is essential to National Stability while urging Nigerian youths to participate and embrace modern agriculture to achieving national food security through innovation and mechanization.
The Governor made the call on Tuesday at the National Food Security Summit 2.0 and the official commissioning of Eternity Stone Limited Fabrication Facility held at the Industrial Development Centre, Oke-Ayepe, Osogbo.
Speaking at the event, Governor Adeleke who was represented by The Senior Special Assistant on Nomadic Affairs, Hon. Adebisi Maruf, commended the organisers, Eternity Stone Limited, for convening a summit that aligns with his administrations’s vision.
He emphasized the need for technology-driven farming practices that will make agriculture more productive and attractive to young Nigerians.
“In a country blessed with fertile land and vibrant youth, hunger should have no place. What we need are deliberate actions, strategic investments and innovative solutions that make agriculture not only productive but also attractive to the younger generation.
“Here in Osun State, our administration has continued to prioritize agriculture as a pillar of our development agenda. We have expanded access to improved seedlings and agro-inputs, strengthened our extension services and supported cluster farming to improve yields and reduce post-harvest losses. We are also deepening partnerships with private investors to scale up mechanized farming and create value-chain opportunities for our youth and women.
“Food security remains essential to national stability, a food-secure society is a stable society, when citizens can feed themselves, productivity rises, crime reduces and peace thrives”, he stated.
In his words, the CEO of Eternity Stone Limited and convener of the summit, Mr. Bolaji Jegede, said the event was designed to address challenges in Nigeria’s agricultural value chain and promote mechanization.
“I see no reason why Nigeria should not be an exporter of agricultural products. About 80 per cent of our farmers still use crude methods of farming despite our vast lands. This summit seeks to provide practical solutions”, he added.
Jegede also disclosed that Eternity Stone’s fabrication facility will serve multiple industries including agriculture, oil and gas, and pharmaceuticals. He added that the company plans to establish a tractor assembly plant in Ede next year to further support mechanized farming.
In his remarks, Engr. Abimbola Daniyan urged stakeholders to engage closely with farmers to understand their equipment needs and fabricate tools that will enhance productivity.
Representative of Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN), Mr. Esan pledged the agency’s continued support for agricultural initiatives and private sector collaborations that will strengthen Nigeria’s food security efforts.
“SMEDAN will continue to collaborate with other agencies to give this kind of summit the visibility, market and results that will drive the food security our country needs”, he assured.
