Former Nigerian President Obasanjo Champions Agriculture, Labels Himself 'Mad Man'

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Former Nigerian President, Olusegu Obasanjo

Former Nigerian President, Olusegun Obasanjo, has labeled himself a 'mad man' in his fervent advocacy for agriculture during the 9th International Trade Exhibition & Conference on Agrofood, Plastics, Printing, and Packaging in Lagos. He underscored the imperative of advancing agribusiness to bolster food security, employment, and wealth creation.

Addressing the escalating insecurity plaguing Nigeria, Obasanjo identified unemployment as a pivotal driver fueling the surge in banditry and kidnappings. He stressed the pivotal role of enticing more young people into agriculture as a strategic measure to counter youth migration, unemployment, and insecurity.

Expressing apprehension over the inclination of Nigerian youths towards the entertainment industry rather than agriculture, Obasanjo accentuated the need to enhance the appeal of the agricultural sector. He emphasized that bolstering agribusiness is essential not only for food and nutrition security but also for employment generation, poverty eradication, and income augmentation, particularly in foreign exchange earnings.

Obasanjo highlighted the triad of food security encompassing availability, affordability, and accessibility, lamenting the significant post-cultivation wastage of food amounting to nearly 40 percent. He called for concerted efforts to mitigate wastage and ensure efficient distribution of food resources.

Underlining the significance of policy consistency, Obasanjo urged policymakers to provide a conducive environment for farmers to pursue both short and long-term agricultural goals without disruptions caused by abrupt policy changes. Moreover, he advocated for the provision of single-digit interest loans to farmers, contending that high-interest rates hinder the profitability of agribusiness ventures.

In addressing unemployment, particularly among the youth population, Obasanjo reiterated agriculture's potential as a robust source of employment. He stressed the need to glamorize agriculture to attract youths, who are currently drawn to lucrative ventures such as music. Obasanjo suggested that by making agriculture appealing, the nation could steer youths away from risky endeavors like migration across the Mediterranean in search of better opportunities.

In his impassioned advocacy for agriculture, Obasanjo reaffirmed his unwavering commitment to the sector, embracing the epithet of 'mad man' in his relentless pursuit of agricultural development and food security in Nigeria.

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