The Oyo State governor, Seyi Makinde, and former President, Olusegun Obasanjo have stated that for any country to achieve economic stability, growth, and food security, there must be a collaborative approach.
Speaking at the Agribusiness for food security initiative held at the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) in Ibadan, Makinde emphasised that collaboration and achieving food security is a pathway to reduce poverty, driving economic liberation and access to sufficient, safe, and nutrition food not only to the state but Nigeria at large.
He expressed the aim to transition from a state where farmers struggle to one where more people can work across the agribusiness industry, especially in research and innovation for greater productivity.
On his part, Obasanjo, who is also an Honorary Ambassador of IITA, said agribusiness plays a vital role in shaping the future of the country.
He stated further that food security is not just the production of food to meet the demands of the people but a value chain system that is encompassing.
Obasanjo hinted that the federal government should not be directly involved in agribusiness since the states have the landscape, resources, manpower, innovations, infrastructures and many other things to make use of collaborative approach to develop holistic strategies for food security and nutrition.
He, therefore commended efforts of women in agribusiness and also encourage them to do more, emphasizing that food security and nutrition would not only provide more employment but also boost foreign exchange and increase internally generated revenue.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Director General IITA, Dr Simeon Ehui said the forum is aimed at address pressing issues on food security and to drive the positive changes by leveraging on major stakeholders to ensure a sustainable future for the present and next generation.
He added that, collaboration, innovation and share commitment are crucial to investment to make a way for food security, stressed that, agribusiness development in necessary in the whole of Africa.
