Prof. Segun Osinowo (Standing) addressing the participants of the Summer School while the rep. of the VC, the DVC (A), Prof. Toyin Arowolo (Left) and Prof. V.I.O Olowe listen with rapt attention.
The University’s Director of the Institute for Food Security, Environmental Resources and Agricultural Research (IFSERAR), Professor Segun Osinowo, has tasked Organic Agriculturists on the need to make the discipline competitive and compare favourably with other forms of Agriculture, in terms of yield.
Speaking at the Opening Ceremony of the 2nd International Summer School on Organic Agriculture, Professor Osinowo noted that organic agriculture should be well-tailored and adapted to mitigate the socio-economic challenges of the nation.
Professor Osinowo observed that the use of organic agriculture will continue to be out of the reach of ordinary Nigerians unless it is made competitive.
According to him, “What should be of primary interest to organic agriculture is producing cheap food. The Europeans that are talking of organic agriculture are overfed. Here in Nigeria, we don’t even have enough to eat. Therefore, we should find ways of making organic agriculture to compete favourably with other forms of Agriculture in terms of yields”, he added.
The Director decried the continued exportation of farm produce into the country, noting that such practice should be curbed as it is not in the nation’s interest.
He, therefore, challenged Organic Agriculturists to cultivate the habit of growing their products basically for the consumption of the people rather than for the purpose of exportation.
“If the target of the produce of organic agriculture is for Europe, I am not for it but if the target is to produce healthy food for our own people at affordable price, I am for it”, he stated.
Professor Osinowo pointed out that organic agriculture could not be said to be totally alien to the average Nigerian farmer.
“Most of our farmers are organic farmers because they don’t have access to all these chemicals, as most of the foods we consume are organic, he declared.