Stakeholders: Poor Research Funding Could Hamper Food Security Targets

James Emejo in Abuja

Stakeholders in the agricultural sector have expressed concern over the sheer neglect of agricultural research and development in the country.

They argued that if the country must realise its targets on self-sufficiency in food production as well as food security, there must be a commitment to boost funding for research and development (R&D).

The stakeholders, at a meeting on reorienting future public agriculture and food research and development in Nigeria for achieving sustainable, nutritious and climate-resilient food systems, pointed out that demand-driven agricultural research was crucial for achieving results.

The event was organised by Sahel Consulting Agriculture and Nutrition Limited in partnership with the Syngenta Foundation for Sustainable Agriculture (SFSA).

Head of Agricultural Policy at Syngenta Foundation, Yuan Zhou, harped on the crucial role of demand-driven agricultural research in supporting the innovation process to transform food systems to address climate change, nutrition, and sustainability-related issues for the country’s growing population.

The gathering also validated the country-level policy study on public agriculture research and development in Nigeria, which was commissioned by the Switzerland-based Syngenta Foundation for Sustainable Agriculture and

led by Sahel Consulting.

The Executive Secretary, Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria (ARCN), Prof. Garba Sharubutu, lauded the timely release of the study as it coincided with the assent of the ARCN Amendment Bill by President Muhammadu Buhari in October.

Represented by his Technical Adviser, Dr. Umar Umar, Sharubutu said the council would review the recommendations of the study, to identify areas of implementation to ensure stronger coordination of agricultural research efforts in the country to achieve food and nutrition security.

However, the amended ARCN Act is expected to facilitate creation of a fund for agriculture, in view of the delayed release of funds to embark on critical projects that will boost food production and enhance economic growth.

Also commenting on the relevance of research for food security, Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (FMARD), Mrs. Patience Yamah, said reorientation of agriculture research and development must focus on capacity building of players to conduct innovative research as well as increase research focus on high yielding climate-resilient seed varieties to withstand climate change variability.

Among other things, she stressed the need to use technology to build resilient food systems, mechanisation, and support for supply chain management in the sector to reduce food loss and waste and improve food supply.

Furthermore, Group Head, Technical at Value Seeds Limited, Zaria, Dr. Anthony Job, said stressed the need for improved extension services in the sector to ensure the delivery of research technologies to farmers.

Senior Programme Officer, Agriculture at the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation Nigeria, Dr. Audu Grema, said the misalignment of governance in the research institutions remained a challenge and recommended increased collaboration between research institutes and industry to address the current needs and challenges of end-users.

Participant also agreed on the need for participatory and demand-driven research, with greater involvement of the private sector, both through funding efforts and technical support for agriculture research to ensure the development of sustainable research solutions.

On his part, Executive Director, Syngenta Foundation for Sustainable Agriculture, Mr. Simon Winter, reiterated the need for research to be driven by end-users and emphasised the need for a linkage between funding for agriculture research and the current need of end-users to achieve sustainable impact.