Abandoned Farm Settlements Now Serve as Hideouts for Criminals, Says FUNAAB VC
The Vice Chancellor of the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), Prof Olusola Kehinde, has raised concerns about abandoned farm settlements in Nigeria, which have become hideouts for criminals like bandits and kidnappers.
Chris Oyeoku Okafor 
The Vice Chancellor of the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), Prof Olusola Kehinde, has highlighted the alarming trend of abandoned farm settlements across Nigeria, which have now become hiding places for bandits and kidnappers. Prof Kehinde made this assertion during the inaugural agricultural summit of Al-Hikmah University, Ilorin.
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The summit, themed "Meeting the Challenges of Food Insecurity in Nigeria: Agricultural Technology to the Rescue," underscored the urgent need to address food insecurity through technological advancements in agriculture.
Prof Kehinde emphasized the importance of reviving these abandoned farm settlements to enhance food and animal production in the country. He lamented the neglect of these once-thriving agricultural facilities, originally established by past governments to promote agriculture, generate employment, and boost food production.
Highlighting the vast expanse of land available in these abandoned settlements, Prof Kehinde questioned why both federal and state governments have failed to capitalize on these resources to bolster agriculture and curb criminal activities.
Speaking at the summit, Vice Chancellor of Al-Hikmah University, Prof Noah Yusuf, echoed the sentiment that agricultural technologies are pivotal in achieving food sufficiency in Nigeria.
In a similar vein, Prof Lateef Sanni, Executive Director of the Nigeria Stored Product Research Institute (NSPRI), emphasized the need for greater technological deployment in agriculture to address the country's low yields and food wastage.
Dr. Olurunnisola Kola Saheed, acting dean of the Faculty of Agriculture at Al-Hikmah University, emphasized the importance of investing in homegrown agricultural technologies to improve food production and revenue generation. He stressed that agriculture, with its value chain and technological advancements, presents a significant opportunity to combat youth unemployment and drive economic growth in Nigeria.
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