By Mahdi Waziri Isa
Bauchi State former Governor and one-time National Chairman of People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Ahmad Adamu Mu’azu, has stressed that developing Agriculture and Food Security is the sure Path to Economic Growth and Climate Resilience in Nigeria.
The veteran politician made the disclosure yesterday while speaking as the convocation lecturer of Ahmadu Bello University’s 44th Pre-Convocation Lecture, themed, Agriculture and Food Security: A Path to Economic Growth and Climate Resilience in Nigeria’.
The occasion which was graced by high personalities, including university administrators from different institutions within and outside the university, took place at the Abdullahi Mahadi Auditorium at the university’s main campus, Samaru.
The convocation lecturer highlighted the historical role of Agriculture in Nigeria, describing it as “the backbone of Nigeria’s economy that shapes the country’s economic identity and providing livelihoods for majority of it’s population.”
“While its significance has waned over time, due to over-reliance on oil, agriculture remains a sector with immense potential to drive economic growth and development,” he noted.
The speaker lamented how the agricultural sector diminished from accounting for more than 60% of Nigeria’s GDP in the early years of independence, serving as the primary source of foreign exchange earnings, to a point where Nigerians today are unable to produce enough agricultural products for their consumption, resulting in many Nigerians grappling with widespread hunger and malnutrition.
He posited that before, “the agricultural sector played a critical role in food production, ensuring food security for a rapidly growing population. Subsistence farming dominated rural livelihoods that sustained millions of Nigerians. Agricultural cooperatives and rural communities fostered social cohesion and self-reliance during the pre-oil boom era, creating a foundation of resilience in the rural economy. This vibrant agricultural system was emblematic of a nation poised for greatness.
“Yet, despite its historic significance, the resources generated from oil have not significantly transformed agriculture in Nigeria. Farming practices remain largely rudimentary, with many farmers relying on tools and methods passed down through generations,” he decried.
He highlighted the need for modernization and innovation in the agricultural sector, adding that despite advancements in technology and global agricultural practices, most of Nigeria’s farmers remain trapped in the past, limiting productivity and economic growth.
Walin Bauchi described the decline in farming due to over-reliance on oil, infrastructure deficits, post-harvest losses, limited access to finance by farmers, climate change and environmental degradation, weak policy implementation, urbanization and land-use pressure, and inadequate human capital and youth participation as the major challenges in Nigeria’s agricultural sector.
He mentioned some holistic approaches to follow in order to provide a sustainable solution to Nigeria’s food security challenges, which include enhancing agricultural productivity, building infrastructure, promoting inclusive policies, fostering climate adaptation and addressing conflict and displacement.
“To safeguard the future of agriculture in Nigeria, it is imperative to develop and implement strategies that enhance the climate resilience of agriculture systems. Addressing the impacts of climate change requires a comprehensive approach that involves government policy, innovative agricultural practices, and the active participation of local communities. Some strategies that can contribute to building climate resilience in Nigeria’s agricultural sector include, climate-smart agriculture (CSA), integrated water resources management, early warning systems and climate information, and policy support and community engagement,” he stressed.