Experts hinge food security on investment on agricultural research

Experts in the agricultural sector have emphasized the need for government to increase investment in agricultural research institutes as well as seed development to achieve food security in the country.

According to them, previous investments in the agricultural sector by the government have not yielded much fruit because emphasis is placed on fertilizer and other farm inputs with little or no efforts to support research institutions to boost production of improved varieties to increase farm yield.

The National President, Seed Entrepreneurs Association of Nigeria (SEEDAN), Yusuf, during a press briefing yesterday in Abuja, said that with decreasing farmlands and increasing population, there was need to support research institutions to develop improve varieties that will produce more yield.”

He lamented “Fertilizer, and milling plants get support from government but nothing for seed sector. So, we are making a case for policymakers to understand that seed must be supported, otherwise, we are wasting our time in improving agricultural productivity in Nigeria.”

He said that over the years, there has been gaps in seed production because research institutes were not well supported by the government which has resulted in low productivity and inability to exports produce.

“Zambia, Botswana export a lot of maize but Nigeria is still importing, there are about 220 million people in the country and we can feed ourselves, and agriculture can even drive the economy but it has to be properly addressed. The lack of quality seeds has been the problem over the years

“There is a need for policy consistency in funding research institute because it is from research you can develop high-quality seeds, saying

“Seed company multiply varieties released by research institutions but if the quality is compromised it will affect what we produce and sell to the farmers”, he stated.

Kibiya highlighted the problems of seed production to include poor quality control, inadequate funding for research, capacity of seed companies to ensure production, inspection, processing and standards. Others include marketing, extension services, and funding of research institutes.

He also listed challenges facing the agricultural sector to include poor infrastructure, dormant research facilities, lack of education of farmers hindering them from using modern farming methods, lack of proper storage facilities, poor harvest conditions, and inconsistent government policies..

To tackle the challenges, the SEEDAN President stressed the need for training of farmers through extension services to develop their skips, adding that there is also need to provide farmers with modern farm machineries and equipment.

He harped on the need for the upgrade, funding and supervision of research institutes, government should incentivize youths to get involved in agriculture adding that government should improve the delivery of seeds, pesticides and fertilizers to farmers.

He also advocated the need for agricultural production to be backed by adequate funding as well as loan facilities to be made available at a reasonable interest rate and less cumbersome to obtain adding that government must curtail food importation.

Kibiya further stressed the need to provide alternative farming system aside the normal rainfall-backed system through the provision of improved irrigation infrastructure.