Expert Urges Revival of Rural Agriculture

• Expert Urges Revival of Rural Agriculture

The Acting ExecutiveDirector, Agricultural and Rural Management Training Institute (ARMTI), Dr Olufemi Oladunni has canvassed increased focus on rural agriculture to boost incomes and standards of living.

Addressing the Institute’s national seminar themed: “Harnessing the Potentials of Traditional Institutions for Integrated Agricultural and Rural Development in Nigeria”, in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, Oladunni said Nigeria has a large rural agricultural sector with thousands of people working as farmers, but productivity is low because of small size of the farms.

He said any significant progress in rural rejuvenation would leadto a strong sector and boost farmers’ wealth.

He said there was need for the traditional institutions to join in promoting sustainable food systems within their domains.

He noted, however, that revitalising the sector would not be successful without the traditional institutions’ involvement, adding that they play a key role in mass mobilisation.

He reiterated that what they do in ARMTI is to identify problems and needs in the sector and develop solutions and interventions.

He said:“Most times we lead the way and then invite the Federal Government to see what is possible since we have tested it, and then they come on board and provide the policies and backing needed to strengthen such initiatives/interventions. We have done this at different times and the results have been far reaching and impactful.”

A professor of Agricultural Economics, Nasarawa State University, Keffi, Shehu Rahman said sustainable agricultural and rural development will lead to well-being of rural communities.

According to him, the system needs to involve traditional rulers to boost the campaign towards achieving food security, ecological productivity, job creation, poverty reduction, value addition and sustainable industrial development.