By Salifu Faridat
Prof. Banji Oyelaran-Oyeyinka, an authority in innovation and development, has outlined key solutions to bolster Nigeria’s vulnerable food and agriculture system.
Speaking at the Africa Social Impact Summit in Lagos on Thursday, Oyelaran-Oyeyinka emphasized the urgent need for comprehensive changes to fortify the nation’s economic landscape and promote resilient economic development.
Formerly the acting Director of the United Nations Habitat Regional Office for Africa in Nairobi, Oyelaran-Oyeyinka highlighted the grim reality of a low-income trap, attributing this phenomenon to the fact that approximately 70% of rural African populations rely solely on agriculture for their livelihoods.
With a background as a Senior Economic Adviser at the UN Centre on Trade and Development in Geneva, Oyelaran-Oyeyinka drew attention to the fundamental challenges faced by African and Nigerian agriculture systems.
He emphasized the prevalence of low-yield staple crops cultivated on small plots with limited inputs.
Additionally, he noted the susceptibility of rain-dependent farming to unpredictable weather patterns, resulting in inconsistent production.
To rectify this situation, Oyelaran-Oyeyinka stressed the necessity of accelerating economic growth and inducing sectoral transformations to overcome the fragility trap.
He underscored that the shift from a rural and agriculture-dependent economy to one centered on industry and services requires strategic policies.
These policies, he argued, should facilitate stronger linkages between rural and urban areas, encourage the shift away from agriculture, and promote investments in rural infrastructure, education, and technical skills.
Oyelaran-Oyeyinka also highlighted the importance of addressing food loss and waste, which currently amount to one-third of globally produced food. By tackling this issue, he emphasized the potential for substantial improvements in food security and nutrition.
Furthermore, he stressed the significance of social sustainability to counteract poor diets, which contribute significantly to global mortality rates.
Oyelaran-Oyeyinka warned about the dual burden of malnutrition arising from inadequate or inappropriate diets, resulting in health crises.
In projecting Nigeria’s future, Oyelaran-Oyeyinka underscored the growing importance of human capital, science, and technology in driving industrialization.
He advocated for a shift from exporting raw materials to exporting processed and manufactured goods to ensure sustainable progress.
Oyelaran-Oyeyinka concluded by emphasizing the imperative of achieving agricultural growth, fostering non-farm rural employment, and facilitating rural industrialization to drive the nation toward modernization.
He also called for targeted efforts to uplift landlocked Sahelian countries and low-income countries through the transformation of their predominant agri-food industries into modern commercial enterprises.
In summary, Oyelaran-Oyeyinka’s comprehensive proposals aim to reshape Nigeria’s food and agriculture system, steer it away from fragility, and pave the way for sustained and resilient economic development.
