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| Mr. Aribisala Pelumi |
Recent development at this years YALDA conference 2012, has
shown that Nigeria is blessed with a lot of potentials in Agriculture.
At the conference, the Agricultural panel noted that rising
food prices, negative impact of climatic change on food production and a
burgeoning global population threatens Africa’s potential for agriculture
development.
According to the panel, it stated, “ African countries that
improve agricultural productivity benefit from investing in sustainable models
that drive sustainable economic growth, reduce poverty and hunger, create jobs
and attract foreign interest.”
The panel also noted that the impact of the increased
financial input into agricultural development has been barely felt due to
impaired access, due to poor infrastructure, ineffectively dissemination of
practical agricultural solutions and unfavourable government policies.
Furthermore, the panel identified the urgent need for
sustainable solutions to the problems that have plagued the growth of
agriculture in Africa to enable the continent maximize the global need for food
and agriculture produce.
Speaking at the agricultural orientation, a panelist, Mr.
Aribisala Pelumi, identified that the challenges faced in agriculture is not all
about government policies, but the lack of focus, consistency, geographical
positioning and choice of land by individual agriculturist.
Mr. Pelumi stressed that agriculture is very broad, that
when put into full consideration, can really yield returns for the individual
and the economy.
He made example of the JatrophaCurcas shrub which has been totally neglected by
farmers and the country at large.
In his closing remark, he stated that “JatrophaCurcas can be
more practiced in Nigeria, we can get direct Diesel from it without refining
and when refined, can give soap, Petrol and Kerosine.”
In his words, “Try to encourage yourself because nobody will
encourage you, because some seeds are bound to die and the resurrection is
miracle”.
“If you don’t build your dream, some people will hire you
for the job”.
“As an agriculturist, for you to learn patience, try to
plant oil palm because it takes time to mature”.
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