The National Assembly and agricultural colleges and institutions across the country have expressed readiness to collaborate on food security, agricultural research and the development of appropriate legislation aimed at improving Nigeria’s agricultural sector.
Chairman of the Senate Committee on Agricultural Colleges and Institutions, Senator Sharafadeen Alli, representing Oyo South Senatorial District, disclosed this during a press conference held at the Nigeria Union of Journalists secretariat in Iyaganku, Ibadan, Oyo State.
Alli said the partnership would focus on strengthening agricultural institutions, promoting innovation and ensuring that research findings are effectively transferred to farmers to boost food production and improve livelihoods.
According to him, partnerships have already been initiated with development organisations to support farmers in areas such as land preparation, cultivation, harvesting and market access.
He added that plans were underway to reduce post-harvest losses through the introduction of solar-powered dryers for agricultural produce.
The lawmaker expressed concern that many Nigerian farmers remain disconnected from modern agricultural innovations despite breakthroughs recorded by local research institutions.
“Many farmers remain disconnected from modern agricultural innovations despite several breakthroughs recorded by Nigerian research institutions. We must have the right kind of legislation in place to assist our institutions, improve curriculum, encourage collaboration and strengthen food security,” Alli said.
He stressed that agriculture without research would amount to guesswork, noting that Nigerian researchers had developed improved crop varieties capable of transforming food production and increasing farmers’ incomes.
Alli cited improved cocoa and cassava varieties developed through research institutes, lamenting that many local farmers were still unaware of such innovations.
He also expressed concern over the decline of Nigeria’s agricultural dominance despite the country’s long history of agricultural research and production.
The senator recalled that Malaysia obtained oil palm seedlings from Nigeria several decades ago but has since surpassed Nigeria in global palm oil production.
The renewed focus on agricultural research and legislation comes amid growing concerns over food insecurity, rising food prices and declining agricultural productivity across the country.
Experts have repeatedly called for increased investment in mechanisation, research, extension services and improved access to technology to strengthen local food production and reduce dependence on imports.
Earlier, the Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists in Oyo State, Akeem Abas, commended Senator Alli for championing reforms aimed at repositioning agricultural institutions and strengthening food security.
Abas noted that the attendance of journalists from several media organisations at the engagement reflected widespread interest in the proposed summit and its potential impact on national development.
Also speaking, the Executive Director of the National Horticultural Research Institute, Prof. Mohammed Atanda, said Nigerian agricultural research institutes possess highly skilled personnel and globally competitive innovations but require stronger coordination and support to maximise their impact.
Similarly, the Acting Executive Director of the Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria, Adedeji Rasheed, called for increased private sector involvement in funding agricultural research.
Rasheed argued that government alone could not effectively fund agricultural research institutions and urged stakeholders benefiting from agricultural products to invest more in research and development.
He maintained that stronger collaboration among government agencies, research institutions and private sector players would help improve productivity, promote innovation and support long-term food security efforts in the country.
