Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has referred to himself as “passionate about agriculture.” He made this assertion during the 9th International Trade Exhibition and Conference on Agrofood, Plastics, Printing, and Packaging held in Lagos on Tuesday.
Emphasizing the significance of promoting agribusiness for various reasons such as food security, nutrition, job creation, wealth generation, poverty alleviation, and foreign exchange earnings, Obasanjo stressed that efforts towards achieving food security should encompass ensuring food availability, affordability, and accessibility.
In his words, “A friend once told me that I must be crazy. I asked him what he meant, and he explained that my involvement in agriculture was unexpected. So, I am deeply committed to agriculture. Whenever agriculture is concerned, you can count on me to be involved.”
“Food security begins with having enough food production. Then there’s the aspect of affordability; ensuring everyone can access the food they need. Accessibility is also crucial; food should reach where it’s needed.”
He further highlighted the issue of food wastage, noting that approximately 40% of food produced goes to waste after cultivation. This underscores the importance of agribusiness in achieving both food security and nutritional security.