‘Clear Farm Lands of Encumbrances’- MOUAU VC Urges FG

The Vice-Chancellor of Michael Okpara University of Agriculture Umudike (MOUAU), Professor Maduebibisi Ofo Iwe, has called on the federal government to remove all encumbrances on farm lands to enable food production resume across the nation.

He lamented that many farmers have been killed, crops destroyed, and farm lands out of bound due to terrorist activities, leading to high food costs and hunger.

Agricultural lands must be combed and all encumbrances removed to enable people go back to their farms and grow food,” he said.

Prof. Iwe blamed the encumbrances on farm lands for the prevailing high cost of food and the general hunger in the land, noting that many farmers have been killed, crops destroyed and farm lands out of bound.

He warned that the drive for Nigeria to become self-sufficient in food production would remain a mirage if farmers remain separated from their farms in North East, North West and North Central zones.

He said that Nigeria was still grappling with food insecurity because the consciousness to solve the problem is still lacking among the citizenry.

According to him, the major issue as it concerns food insecurity, just like other national problems, is whether we, as a people, are ready to help ourselves overcome the problems.

He said: “It is possible to feed Nigeria if we are conscious that we have to feed Nigeria. It is possible to have balanced diet if we’re conscious that we have to eat balanced diet. It is possible to for the rich and the poor to have food in Nigeria if we’re conscious of that”.

The Vice-Chancellor of Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike (MOUAU) emphasized the need for smart agriculture to engage everyone in food production.

He pointed out that hunger remains a pressing issue, highlighting the ongoing need for food availability.

Smart agriculture, as explained by the VC, involves cultivating crops in gardens around homes, making food readily available. This approach was prevalent in the past and promotes self-sufficiency.

The VC also stressed the importance of shifting away from foreign foods and embracing the “produce what you eat and eat what you produce” mantra championed by the government and universities of agriculture.

He also opposed the planned conversion of MOUAU from a specialized to conventional university, stating it would have negative effects.

Instead, he suggested establishing another federal university in Abia State to address the growing tension over the planned conversion.