University Professors Urge Government to Eliminate Middlemen in Agriculture to Ensure Food Security

Former Vice Chancellor of Osun State University, Professor Labode Popoola, and Dean of the Faculty of Renewable Natural Resources at the University of Ibadan, Professor Adejoke Akinyele, have called on the Federal Government to eliminate middlemen from the agricultural value chain as a crucial step towards ensuring food security in Nigeria. The professors made this appeal during the 40th anniversary and reunion of the Class of 1984 graduates of the Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry, University of Ibadan.

In her remarks, Professor Akinyele emphasized the negative impact of middlemen on food production and distribution in the country. "If we can remove the middlemen from the food production chain, it will go a long way in ensuring food security in Nigeria," she said. Akinyele further urged the government to create systems that enable direct delivery of crops from farmers to consumers, reducing the influence of intermediaries. "If the government can make adequate arrangements to get crops that are produced by these farmers to the consumers so that the middlemen are cut off, that is what we need to look into to ensure food security," she added.

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Professor Popoola, who also serves as the Executive Secretary and Chief Executive Officer of the African Forest Forum in Nairobi, Kenya, echoed Akinyele's sentiments, stressing that Nigeria's favorable climate and fertile land should make food security achievable. "If Nigeria wants to be involved in agriculture, it must have people who are committed to it. There must be passion and patience for it," he stated.

Popoola highlighted the need for practical training within the university system to foster a genuine interest in agriculture among students. He pointed out the labor shortages in rural farming areas, which has led to the hiring of laborers from neighboring countries like Togo. "There are so many people in the cities who are supposed to be in the village. I have to hire laborers from Togo. There are Nigerians who are not willing to do it," he noted.

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The professors concluded that with the right commitment and strategic interventions, Nigeria has the potential to achieve food security. "There is absolutely no reason Nigeria should not be food-secure. We have what it takes. The climate is good, we have the land, and the fertility of the land is relatively good. All we need is commitment and passion," Popoola asserted.

The event brought together alumni from the University of Ibadan’s Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry, who reflected on their experiences and discussed ways to contribute to the nation's agricultural development.