The Founder of Afe Babalola University at Ado- Ekiti (ABUAD), Aare Afe Babalola (SAN), has urged the Federal Government to revive the moribund farm settlements across the country.
Babalola spoke yesterday in Ado-Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital, while addressing reporters on his selection as the 2024 African Man of the Year in Food Security by the Initiative for Green Sustainability.
The legal icon noted that revamping the moribund farm settlements across the regions would boost food security, agricultural production for local consumption and export as well as provide raw materials for industries.
He said this would also create jobs for unemployed youths and reduce insecurity.
Babalola recalled how the late Premier of defunct Western Region, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, used the farm settlements to boost the region’s economy.
The eminent lawyer noted that the establishment of the farm settlements brought development to the region as the revenue generated from them was used for building critical infrastructure and institutions that remained the pride of the Southwest.
He stressed that the revival of the farm settlements should be made the nation’s economic springboard to rediscover the dying agricultural potential.
According to him, the future of Nigeria lies in agriculture and not in crude oil.
He said,
“It may not be a crime to abandon agriculture but it is certainly a sin. Don’t forget the place of the Garden of Eden placed under Adam and Eve in Book of Genesis. This is a divine instruction that man must work and provide for whatever he needs.”
“A special tribute goes to the First Premier of old Western Region, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, who appreciated the importance of agriculture. Between 1960 and 1966, he promoted agriculture more than any of his peers in other regions.
“A part of the activities of Chief Awolowo in promoting agriculture was the establishment of 20 farm settlements, the Western Nigeria Marketing Board, as well as providing healthy and improved seedlings to the farmers.
“Others include encouraging production of food and cash crops, making local government to provide implements for farmers and making agriculture a compulsory subject in primary and secondary schools.
“Consequently, people became interested in agricultural practices as a result of which the Western Region became the leader in the production of cocoa and palm oil.
“Regrettably, most leaders after the exist of Chief Awolowo abandoned agriculture since the discovery of crude oil and relied solely on its proceeds as a major source of revenue. Its neglect has contributed in no small measure to the spiralling inflation, unemployment and food insecurity.”
Babalola called for increased annual budgetary allocations to the agriculture sector, saying it has the potential to lead millions of Nigerians out of poverty and provide food security.
He also urged the government to implement sustainable policies and provide modern farm implements, improved seedlings and soft loans to make agriculture more attractive for youths to develop interest in it.
