Former Agric director calls for stronger data-driven farming reforms

A former director at the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Engr. Akeju Olagbaju has emphasized the need for a stronger data system that will enhance easy appraisal of farming reform towards food security in the country just as he requested for more collaboration with other stakeholders.

Olagbaju during the last quarterly stakeholders meeting hosted by Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (FMAFS) pointed out that making processed information available to stakeholders would enhance unbiased judgement opinions about government efforts towards food security

He described the minister’s speech as inspiring, but stressed the importance of making such presentations more accessible to stakeholders for proper understanding.

According to him, future events should display speeches on screens and provide copies to participants so that stakeholders can properly follow and analyze the policy directions being presented.

“I listened to the minister’s speech and it was very inspiring, but it would have been better if the speech was displayed on screen for people could follow it and identify specific policy areas that require response" said Olagbaju.

He explained further that having access to the speech in written or digital form would enable analysts, researchers, and policy experts to evaluate the government’s agricultural strategies using available data and statistics properly.

“For us to properly assess the farming system, we need access to the data and statistics that support these policies. That will allow stakeholders to make informed decisions and contribute meaningfully to the conversation" he said.

Olagbaju further called on the ministry to deepen collaboration with various stakeholders across the agricultural sector as he commended the presence of multiple industry players at the meeting with commendation to All Farmers Association of Nigeria for supporting agricultural development.

He noted that stronger partnerships between government institutions and farmer organizations would help improve farming practices and that Nigeria’s agricultural system can sustainably support the nation’s food supply.