Presidential candidate for the Labour party in the 2023 election, Peter Obi, along with Aisha Yusufu, Dele Farotimi, and Dr. Moses Paul, recently paid a visit to the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) headquarters in Ibadan, Oyo state.
In a statement shared via his X handle, Obi highlighted the crucial role played by IITA in agricultural research, emphasizing the need for sustainable and innovative farming practices to address the challenges of hunger and poverty in Nigeria. The IITA’s mandate includes engaging in research to enhance food security and employment opportunities.
During the visit, Obi learned about IITA’s active collaboration with local farmers and stakeholders to improve farming practices. By working closely with these key players, IITA ensures that research outcomes and innovations are effectively disseminated and adopted, leading to tangible improvements in the agricultural sector.
Obi expressed concern about the neglect of agriculture in the nation, attributing it to the current issues of hunger and food insecurity. He stressed the importance of transitioning from consumption to production in the agricultural sector to combat the high food inflation rate, currently at 33%.
Referring to the 2023 Global Hunger Index, which ranked Nigeria 109th out of 125 countries, Obi emphasized the need for concerted efforts to address food insecurity. He praised the management and staff of IITA for their significant contributions to the agricultural sector, particularly in increasing agricultural productivity.
In conclusion, Obi highlighted the potential of organizations like IITA to harness untapped natural resources, especially the vast uncultivated lands in the North. He expressed optimism that maximizing agricultural use of these lands would contribute to achieving food security, eradicating hunger, and reducing inflation in the envisioned New Nigeria.
