‘Protect Farmers To Reduce Hunger,’ UNILAG Don Urges FG

By Adebisi Bolarinwa

Professor Ademola Zaid Aderolu, of Department of Marine Science, Faculty of Science, University of Lagos (UNILAG), has charged the Federal Government to protect farmers and provide them incentives so as to reduce hunger in the nation.

Speaking at the 24th inaugural lecture of the 2023/2024 session in UNILAG on Wednesday, August 21, he highlighted the clashes between farmers and herdsmen as one cause of food insecurity in the country.

Delivering his lecture themed “Food-Feed Struggle, the Nutritionist as an Umpire,” Prof. Ademola walked his audience through his research in aquaculture nutrition. He expressed dismay at the rapid increase in Nigeria’s population at a time when more than 821 million people globally are afflicted by hunger.

The professor expatiated on the importance of fish as a main source of protein which fulfils nutritional needs at a relatively lower cost compared to livestock. He further noted that for fish to best provide these nutritional benefits, fish should be fed balanced diets.

Speaking further, he advocated for the cooperation of the Federal Government, academia and industry in solving the problems surrounding fish farming. He also encouraged awarding scholarships to students studying agriculture-related courses as a way of motivating them in their academic pursuit.