Agricultural experts and researchers have recommended trending modern technologies, artificial intelligence (AI) and focused government policies as crucial tools for sustaining food security and maintaining productive environment in African Agricultural economies.
These recommendations were made at the Maiden International Conference on Sustainable Agriculture and Environment organised by the Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, Ekiti State University (EKSU), Ado- Ekiti , with the theme: “Transforming Agriculture, Aquaculture, Forestry, Wildlife through Innovation, Climate Resilience and Strategic Partnerships”.
Declaring the conference open, the Vice-chancellor, Ekiti state University, Professor Joseph Babatola Ayodele, who was represented by the Dean,
Faculty of Life Sciences and Chairman ,Committee of Deans, Professor J.A. Oso said the theme was timely and highly relevant to the challenges confronting agriculture and environmental sustainability across the world.
Professor Ayodele commended Governor Biodun Oyebanji for his efforts in turning around the state’s agricultural sector. He noted that the construction of over 161 kilometres of rural- to- market roads for seamless transportation of farm produce, signing of a Memorandum of Understanding with Cavista Holdings for Cassava farming, and the allocation of over 1,535 hectares of arable land for farmers and investors havd positioned Ekiti as a designated pilot state for agriculture in the south west of Nigeria.
The Vice -Chancellor congratulated the Faculty of Agricultural Sciences for organising the conference, describing it as an important platform for scholars and practitioners to exchange ideas, present research findings, establish professional networks and explore collaborative opportunities capable of transforming the nation’s agricultural practices and ecosystems towards food security and sustainable environment.
In his welcome address, the Dean, Faculty of Agricultural sciences, Professor Ayodeji Salami, noted that agriculture remains the backbone of many economies, urging participants to share the vision of a future where agricultural productivity, environmental integrity and human prosperity coexist in balance.
The Dean, Faculty of Agriculture from the University of Ibadan and Keynote Speaker, Professor Tolulope Ososanya, said that the theme of the conference challenges everyone to see agriculture, aquaculture, forestry and wildlife not as separate outputs but as interconnected components of a larger food, environmental, economic and livelihood systems.
He added that applicable ICT knowledge, digital technologies and innovations such as drones, AI, genomics, geospatial tools, aquaculture sensors and satellite imagery for monitoring crops, soil and water are modern tools capable of addressing the
multifaceted challenges confronting agricultural productivity and biodiversity.
Delivering the Lead Paper virtually, Professor Busayo Oluwatayo of the Department of Agriculture, Economics and Agribusiness, University of Venda, South-Africa, recommended eight major measures to curb the threats to food security and environmental sustainability. These include building productive food system and infrastructure, stabilizing food market and regional supply chains, and strengthening government and agricultural institutions for better delivery.
The International Conference on Sustainable Agriculture and Environment also featured goodwill messages from eminent figures, including the immediate past Commissioner for Infrastructure and Public Utilites in Ekiti State, Professor Bolaji Aluko.
The International Conference attracted Principal officers of the University, top notch academics, agricultural experts, and policy makers, including the Registrar of EKSU, Dr.J.E.T. Babatola, University Librarian, Dr.(Mrs) M.A. Aboyade , the Chairperson Local Organising Committee, Prof (Mrs) G.M. Adebo, Dean, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Prof. O.A. Oseni, Dean , Faculty of Arts, Prof ( Mrs) M.Y. OJo , Dean , Faculty of Engineering, Prof.I.B. Oluwafemi, Prof G.O. Awe, Prof . O.O. Longe, Prof (Mrs) Joyce Akin-Obasola, Prof Debo Ajayi, as well as participants from collaborating universities, staff and students of Ekiti State University.
