*Dr Mike Omotosho, CEO Mike Omotosho Foundation - Convener
*Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, Ojaja II - Keynote Speaker
*Prof. Jacob Olupona, Harvard University, USA - Co-chair
*Dr. Angel Adelaja, CEO/Founder Fresh Direct Nigeria - Discussant
*Prof. E. Ajayi, Registrar/CEO, Nigeria Institute of Animal Science (NIAS) - Discussant
*Jon Eberly, CEO Clock Four, California, USA - Discussant
*Arc. Kabiru Ibrahim, National President, All Farmers' Association of Nigeria - Discussant
*Tony Obuh, Proprietor, Toni-Chuks Farms - Discussant
*Cyril Anyanwu, Bank of Industry (BoI) - Discussant
*Dr. Olasupo Musa, Development Specialist - Discussant
All the presenters and discussants were dissatisfied with the fact that Nigeria spends about $10b annually on food importation. A nation that cannot feed itself automatically drops from the third world to the fourth world! As a conflict transformation specialist, I found Ooni of Ife's suubmission that "In Ile-Ife today, the youths are no longer carrying guns because most of them are gainfully engaged on the farms. The 'guns' they carry now are ideas and hard work to shoot down poverty". For me, this was the high point of the event - the fact that agriculture is successfully being used as a tool for peace.
The Ooni has partnered with the BoI to secure soft loans for youths who return to the farm. I wish other monarchs could emulate the laudable steps taken by the Ooni. Other communities should copy the Ife example to reduce the youth bulge through sustainable engagement in agriculture. When the youths are gainfully engaged in agriculture, they stay out of trouble and drugs. This state of affairs could engender peace in any community.
While returning the youths to the farm for prosperity and peace, I agree with Dr. Angel Adelaja, CEO of Fresh Direct that the totality of the agricultural value chain should be targeted, not just farming. Besides, more emphasis should be placed on organic produce and advanced technology for agriculture like hydroponics to get maximum yield from minimal land. The possibilities in agriculture for peace and sustainable development are indeed endless.
Related Links
*AfDB backs young 'Agripreneurs' to beat climate change news.trust.org
*Prospects in agriculture for G5 Sahel countries till 2040 issafrica.org
*Young men create Facebook-like App specially for farmers to network legit.ng
*Digital agriculture is transforming farmers' lives https://twitter.com/broadcasts/1YqJDeLv...
*Financial inclusion: How Nigerian small-scale farmers are locked out allafrica.com
*When small farms fail,whole economies fail - which leads to poverty. Make agriculture more resilient http://gatesnot.es/3bWaKM6
*Importance of biotechnology in agriculture azolifesciences.com
*Corn production in Nigeria medium.com
*What will food security look like in Africa after the pandemic? medium.com
*Soil-less agriculture: A golden future for turmeric thehindu.com
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