Concentrate on crops with comparative advantage, expert urges states

A Professor of Agricultural Engineering at the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, Professor Oseni Kehinde Owolarafe, has charged each state of the federation to concentrate on crops which it has comparative advantage in its production for industrial development. Professor Owolarafe gave the charge while delivering the 282nd in the series of inaugural lectures of the […]

A Professor of Agricultural Engineering at the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, Professor Oseni Kehinde Owolarafe, has charged each state of the federation to concentrate on crops which it has comparative advantage in its production for industrial development.
Professor Owolarafe gave the charge while delivering the 282nd in the series of inaugural lectures of the Obafemi Awolowo University with the theme, “Building a Paradise in Nigeria – The R&D option for small and medium scale Agro-Allied industries.”
The don said in each state, local government areas should also adopt and develop crops which they have comparative advantage in their production.
He said if the production, processing, storage and utilization of such crops are properly coordinated, the benefits would be enormous.
Professor Owolarafe also tasked government in all the states across the country to commission Agricultural Research and Development (R&D) institutions that can develop technologies for the production, processing, storage and utilisation of the crops identified in the states.
He recommended that the products from the farmers and processors should be taken up by government and approximate prices offered to the farmers and processors to motivate them.
He identified investment in the development of the agricultural sector as panacea to high rate of unemployment which has induced high rate of crime and also advocated training for youths through the establishment of farm settlements for experimental farming as being carried out at present in Osun State.
Professor Owolarafe noted that when this is achieved, everybody will live in tranquil environment and hence the country will be transformed into a paradise on earth with abundant wealth.