Referring to the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) number 2 of the United Nations which seeks sustainable solutions to end hunger in all its forms by 2030 and to achieve food security, he said this is attainable with adequate utilization of solar energy. The don said, “Solar energy is essential to agriculture-cultivating land, producing crops and raising livestock. The greenhouse is another early solar development. By converting sunlight to heat, greenhouses make it possible to grow plants out of season and in climates that may not be suited for them.”
Professor Okogbue, whose research efforts and contribution to knowledge spread across solar radiation measurement and modelling, solar energy and wind energy potential, climate change impacts on agricultural production and food security among others, called on government at all levels to encourage wind energy companies to deliver energy to the remote agrarian parts of the country where access to the national grid is difficult because of their topography. He pleaded that issues around the high cost of solar energy systems which has made them uncompetitive compared to fossil fuel should be addressed while partnerships, patronage by government, advocacy and capacity development to bring down the cost of the products and make them more acceptable alternatives to the populace should be pursued.
