Anti-grazing Law Can Ensure Food Security – Olubadan

….Olubadan, Traditional Worshippers Urge Makinde, encourage Irrigation Farming.

Speaking at the installation ceremony of Dr. Fayemi Fakayode as the Mogaji of Onibudo family, Oba Adetunji advised that federal and state governments should embrace Irrigation system as a method of agricultural diversification and crop improvement. Oba Adetunji is of the opinion that for Nigeria to scale through these perilous times, adoption of irrigation on a larger scale is the the way to go
Oba Adetunji noted that since crop production in the south west is largely based on rainfall, the inadvertent change in weather variables will greatly reduce crop performance and ultimate lead to yield loss.

Recently, Oke Ogun famers association reported a huge loss in farm produce (majorly maize) resulting in loss of investments. They attributed this loss to imbalance in rainfall pattern culminating into draught.

To forestall the reoccurence of this ugly incident and to ensure all year availabilty of agricultural produce, Oba Adetunji strongly advised that only through mass adoption of irrigation can Nigeria paddle through the ocean of food insecurity.

“We should see that the time has come for us to realize that the way we practice farming here in the South-West Nigeria cannot sustain us in food sufficiency”

Similarly, the first Class king highlighted that security of farmers and farm hands is most paramount to ensuring food security. He urged the federal and state government to be more proactive in ensuring that farmers are not killed or maimed as this affects youth perception about agriculture.

“We can avert hunger and food crisis if the federal government can come to the aid of farmers and provide security for farmers, situations where farmers were killed and maimed in their farmlands, situations where crops were destroyed by cattle will not attract young Nigerians to farming.”
Oba Adetunji also endeared Oyo state governor, Seyi Makinde to sign into law the state anti-grazing law so as to curb the menacing fight between crop farmers and animal herders in the state. He believed that punishing farm arsonist, cattle rustlers and farm pilferers will serve as deterrent to intending criminals and also encourage budding agropreneurs.

“We are also using this opportunity to call on our governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde to sign the Anti-grazing law of Oyo State to make the perpetrators of farm destruction and attacks on farmers have a rethink before committing such crime, this will also give assurance to those that are interested in farming.”

Speaking at the event, the secretary-General, International Council for Ifa Religion, Dr. Biodun Agboola who is a lecturer at the Faculty of Agriculture, Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile Ife explained the importance of irrigation as the next and better alternative to achieving food security. He urged south western governors to ensure that all hands are on deck to tap this goldmine enjoyed in the Northern part of Nigeria.

“As a farmer myself, I have come to realize that the problem farmers encounter islack of good facilities and infrastructures in the farm and for the citizens to escape hunger, we must produce more food, the South-West governors should collaborate and evolve solutions to this problem.

“They should adopt mass irrigation farming as the permanent solution to food crisis in our region, they are already doing that in the North, their governors gave support to farmers, federal government is doing same thing for them through the federal agencies, we should adopt same.

More so, he emphasized on the need to tap into the abundant Water bodies scattered around the state to achieve widespread utilization of Irrigation system.

“We have Ikere Gorge Dam at Iseyin, we have Erelu Water Works, Asejire and others which can be used to assist farming settlements along these areas to be free from poor weather and natural occurrences that affect farm cultivation.”
Dr. Fayemi Fakayode thanked the Olubadan-in-council, led by the Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Saliu Akanmu Adetunji (Aje Oguguniso 1) and the Onibudo family for appointing him as the Mogaji Onibudo of the Onibudo family, Oopo Yeosa, Oke Ayeye in Ibadan. Prior to his installation as the new Mogaji Onibudo Dr. Fayemi Faksyode was the secretary, Traditional Religion Worshippers Association of Nigeria, Oyo State branch,
He said that his installation as the new mogaji is in agreement to the progressive stride of the Olubadan to ensure socio-cultural development is spread to the innermost of Ibadan.

Also present at the event was the Asiwaju Balogun of Ibadan, Chief Emiola Onidewure, who was the Chairman of the occasion, Chief Odunade Ademola Aare-ago, Chief Mogaji Ariyori, Chairman, Ibadan Mogajis and the Araba Olusese of Ibadanland, Chief Araba Ifalere Odegbola. Olubadan was ably represented by Chief Shina Olatunji Aresa, the Mogaji of Okiti Family.