Agric-experts highlight relevance of tertiary institutions in food security

Former Commissioner for Agriculture in Ogun State, Dr. Adeola Odedina has harped on the importance of incorporating agricultural value chain in tertiary students’ curricula in light of the sector’s changing dynamics.

Odedina stated this on Thursday during his lecture titled “Food Systems, Food Crises and tertiary agricultural Education: The Mandatory Transformation held at Wesley University, Ondo State.

He implored tertiary agricultural institution to deploy technology and expertise in combating food crises while teaming up with stakeholder around the globe to tap with current advances in Food Systems and Agricultural Value Chain Development.

Dr. Odedina stressed that these institutions should address food crises through technological innovation and global partnerships adding that, value chain opportunities should be added into the curriculum, industrial attachments, and projects.

“We need to get involved in agricultural value chain opportunity in the university so that other people will know that agricultural is profitable and young people can also embark on it . 

“We must have a centre for excellence in agriculture where our students will be proud to do agriculture and where other people will come and see what you’re doing.”

Highlighting the importance of international collaboration, Prof. Kola Adebayo, Deputy Vice Chancellor of Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, outlined strategies for attracting international funding and grants. 

Professor Adebayo emphasized the need for a research grant writing orientation, early career engagement, collaboration, and presenting oneself and the institution professionally to secure funding.

According to him ” start early in your career, learn patiently in your tutelage years, respect other team members on their contributions, Accept responsibility for the output under your care, help your collaborators to succeed , give on to Caesar All animal are equal, contribute to building your institution, present yourself (and your institution ) always in the best professional light, delegate the things you cannot do promptly.

 “The process of competitive bidding pre supposes that you’re not the only one interested in the grant , it means that the amount of money available for the grant is limited , the most promising proposal usually win the bid.

Also a professor of agricultural economics, Prof. Joseph Adegeye while addressing the students on the principle of personal security awareness urged them to remain vigilant and cautious in their daily lives. 

He disclosed the potential risks associated with sharing personal information on the internet adding that that students should be security conscious and avoid posting their personal lives on the internet.