The Pioneer Chairman of the Lagelu and District Society of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN), Chief (Mrs) Omokemi Oladipo, has made a strong case for the Nigerian government to increase investments in agriculture and human capital development.
She noted that tackling insecurity paves the way for reduced reliance on imported food, which was reportedly valued at N1.67 trillion between January and March 2022 by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS).
She identified several challenges affecting agricultural productivity, including insufficient investment, low motivation among farmers, inadequate incentives, and insecurity affecting farmlands.
To counteract the escalating import bills, Oladipo urged the government to prioritise youth involvement in agriculture and the development of strategies to combat the herder-farmers crisis.
In her discussion with The Guardian in Ibadan, Oyo State, she asserted that while the government is taking necessary steps, more investment is essential to reset the economy.
She stated, “The government must pump more money into agriculture, invest more in human capital development, and tackle insecurity to discourage importation of food and other goods.”
