The National Assembly and agricultural colleges and research institutions in Nigeria have expressed readiness to deepen collaboration on food security, research funding, and legislative reforms aimed at strengthening the agricultural sector. This comes as the Senate Committee on Agricultural Colleges and Institutions concludes arrangements for the maiden Legislative Summit and Extension, scheduled to hold at the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Ibadan. The committee is chaired by Senator Sharafadeen Alli, representing Oyo South Senatorial District.
Press Conference Highlights Summit Objectives
Speaking at a press conference held at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Press Centre, Iyaganku, Ibadan, Oyo State, to announce the summit, Alli said the initiative had become necessary to address persistent challenges of food insecurity and inadequate funding for agricultural research institutions across the country. He lamented the disconnect between farmers and research institutions, noting that it had contributed to declining agricultural productivity in Nigeria, despite available innovations.
“Many farmers remain disconnected from modern agricultural innovations despite several breakthroughs recorded by Nigerian research institutions. We must put in place the right legislation to support our institutions, improve curricula, encourage collaboration and strengthen food security,” the lawmaker stressed.
Research as a Cornerstone of Agriculture
Alli emphasized that agriculture without research would amount to guesswork, adding that Nigerian research institutions had developed improved crop varieties capable of boosting productivity and farmers’ income. He cited improved cocoa and cassava varieties as examples, expressing concern that many farmers were yet to benefit from such innovations due to weak extension linkages. He also lamented Nigeria’s declining agricultural influence despite its historical leadership in global crop production, recalling that Malaysia once sourced oil palm seedlings from Nigeria but had since overtaken the country.
Summit to Convene Key Stakeholders
The lawmaker disclosed that the summit would bring together over 28 agricultural institutions, development partners, diplomatic missions, and policymakers to deliberate on practical solutions to challenges in the sector. According to him, participants are expected from the European Union, GIZ, the British High Commission, the Malaysian Embassy, and other international partners. He added that discussions would focus on youth and women empowerment through mechanised agriculture, improved access to inputs, and enhanced market systems. Alli further noted that partnerships were being developed to support farmers with land preparation, production, harvesting, and market access, while also reducing post-harvest losses through the deployment of solar-powered drying technology.
Support from NUJ and Research Institutions
Earlier, the Chairman of NUJ, Oyo State Council, Akeem Abas, described the planned summit as a timely intervention capable of boosting agricultural productivity and economic development. Also speaking, the Executive Director of the National Horticultural Research Institute, Professor Mohammed Attanda, said the summit would help strengthen legislative frameworks guiding agricultural research and training institutions. He noted that Nigerian agricultural institutes possess skilled manpower and globally competitive innovations but require stronger coordination and funding support.
Calls for Increased Private Sector Participation
Similarly, the Acting Executive Director of the Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria, Dr. Adedeji Rasheed, called for increased private sector participation in funding agricultural research. He said government alone cannot sustain adequate research funding, urging stakeholders in the agricultural value chain to contribute more to research and development. Professor Oluwatosin Gabriel of the Institute of Agricultural Research and Training also underscored the need for stronger policy and legislative backing to address food insecurity and enhance productivity. He maintained that Nigeria had the capacity to achieve food sufficiency if supported by the right policies, funding, and institutional synergy.
