The Vice Chancellor of the Federal University of Technology Akure, Prof. Adebiyi Daramola has reiterated
the commitment of FUTA to the drive to ensure food security in the nation.
Prof. Daramola stated this at the opening ceremony of the 8th FUTA-AGRIC Conference held at the University’s T.I. Francis Auditorium.
The VC, who was represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) Prof. Adedayo Fasakin, noted that one of the greatest challenges facing the world today is Climate Change and its effect on man and natural resources are enormous hence the need for the search for ways to deal with the threat as it affects food security.
The Vice-Chancellor said the selection of FUTA by the World Bank as a Centre of Excellence in food security with research grant of 700 million dollars and 44million naira from the West Africa Agricultural Productivity Programme (WAAPP) Nigeria to be used in cassava stem multiplication and poultry production was an indication that FUTA was in the forefront of fighting food insecurity.
He expressed delight that the WAAPP-FUTA Project was a success and appreciated WAAPP; Nigeria for the grant and the confidence reposed in the University Management to execute the project.
Presenting the lead paper on Food Security and Climate Change: The role of WAAPP, Professor Damian Chikwendu, the National Coordinator, WAAPP Nigeria who was represented by Mr. Charles Ebojie, Monitoring Revolution Officer, WAAPP, said achieving Food Security in its totality continues to be a challenge not only for the developing nations, but also for the developed world.
He said the main objective of WAAPP is to improve agricultural productivity while promoting regional integration as an instrument for promoting shared growth and poverty reduction in West Africa and to contribute to technology development, dissemination and adoption to boost agricultural productivity.
In another presentation, Professor Tayo Fagbemi of the University’s Department of Food Science and
Technology spoke extensively on food processing and preservation for sustaining food security under climate
change.
He said Nigeria has problems of food insecurity because of poor preservation and storage of food. The Don suggested that seasonal foods should be properly stored to ensure their availability all year round.
Earlier, the Dean, School of Agriculture and Agricultural Technology, FUTA, Professor Olufemi Akindele noted that the conference, with its focus on food security and climate change was imperative as weather variability is the main determinant of crop production and productivity.
The conference had in attendance Principal Officers, Deans, Heads of Departments, staff and students alongside participants and stakeholders from all nooks and crannies of the nation.
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