The National Horticultural Research Institute (NIHORT), yesterday, gave the assurance that it would support the Federal Government’s drive towards achievement of food security, employment generation and economic diversification in the new agricultural policy.

Executive Director of NIHORT, Dr. Mohammed Lawal Attanda, who gave the assurance, while speaking during the 2023 yearly in-house research review and planning meeting held in Ibadan, Oyo State, also said that the Institute would work to meet the demand for domestic needs of horticultural crops like tomato, citrus and value-added products.

He added that exports of some horticultural crops like pineapple mango, plantain, banana and avocado pear in international markets should be promoted while improved horticultural seeds and seedlings should also be made available to farmers.

Atanda promised that NIHORT would work relentlessly using all professional acumen and dedication to combat unemployment and reduce insecurity.
He said that NIHORT in the last two years had justified its ability to assist the Federal Government’s food security and production drive by the various strides it recorded.

In his remarks, Executive Secretary, Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria (ARCN), Prof. Garba Hamidu Sharubutu, who was represented, assured farmers and Nigerians that following the President’s declaration of a state of emergency in the food security sector, there have been several government’s interventions related to bio-economy-related policies, such as the biotechnology and biosafety policies, and most especially, biofuel policy that have started to chart an enabling environment for the imperatives of the bioeconomy policy.