Government and Stakeholders in the Agricultural sector have been urged to develop practicable policies that would enhance food sufficiency through crop production in order to avert looming hunger in the country. The Dean College of Postgraduate Studies, Professor Charity Aremu while delivering Landmark University’s 6th inaugural lecture on Thursday 18th March 2021 stated the need to urgently engage in crop production to address the incessant food crisis which, according to her, may deteriorate due to increase in the nation’s population. The 6th Inaugural Lecture series presented by Professor Charity Aremu, a crop improvement specialist was titled “Crisscrossing Crop and Environment: the Resounding Cymbals for Innovations and Food Sustainability. 

“The value of agriculture is not complete until the crop production component is included. Unfortunately, the country has not improved on her crop production, from 2005 there is no significant improvement in production rate but there is significant difference in the population rate”, she asserted. Professor Aremu added that everything in life draws strength from food which comes from intentional and discretional crop production efforts. She declared that since all humans must eat, food security through crop production is a must. 

The concept of food security according to her includes food availability, food accessibility, affordability, food utilization and food sustainability. “Food security is the ability of Nigeria state to assure a timely, reliable and nutritionally adequate long term food production system with both physical and economic access route through crop management strategies”, she professed. The 6th Inaugural lecturer enlightened the audience on legume crop improvement, particularly agro-ecology environment interaction affecting yield, nutrient quality and stability of performance, identified Objectives, Hybridization, Selection Procedure and Multi-locational trial as the phases of plant breeding that must be practiced concurrently.

Although, global water crisis, land degradation and climate change according to Professor Charity Aremu remain some of the major challenges hindering achievement of food security, palpable investment and involvement in agriculture through crop production by all and sundry would succinctly ameliorate such challenges.   

Professor Aremu in her lecture summarily projected a twenty six point recommendation outline for the government, academic bodies, agricultural stakeholders and individuals on ways to promote crop production and attain food sufficiency. She urged government to develop practicable policies, create a center for Biodiversity Resource, identify and engage agricultural mandate institutions and provide infrastructures. Her recommendations to other stakeholders include: intensifying efforts on tuber crop research and production, promote and drive synergy in research and visibility towards student’s subscription, embracing digital financial transaction on all agricultural produce sales and encouraging community farming system among others. 

Earlier in his remarks, the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Adeniyi Olayanju who represented the Chancellor, Dr. David Oyedepo at the 6th inaugural lecture stated that a  University is recognized worldwide as a citadel of learning, structured to proffer solutions to societal challenges thereby adding value to humanity through teaching, research and community impact. Professor Olayanju made known the commitment of Landmark University to upholding functional capacity of her context by driving solution to societal challenges which has given platform for the inaugural lecture. The Registrar, Miss Fola Oyinloye in her welcome remark described the inaugural lecturer as a perfectionist who delivers her duties and assignments with all diligence. 

Professor Charity Onye Aremu, the 6th inaugural lecturer is the Dean School of Postgraduate Studies, a research scholar with more than seventy articles in international and local journals. She is a reviewer to institutional based journals across Nigeria. She has also served excellently at different academic and administrative positions and committees in Landmark University. Professor Charity Aremu is the first female Faculty to deliver an inaugural lecture in Landmark University.