By Idris Umar Zaria Agricultural stakeholders have called for increased investment in research and greater support for smallhold...
By Idris Umar Zaria
Agricultural stakeholders have called for increased investment in research and greater support for smallholder farmers to strengthen food security in Nigeria.
The call was made at the annual meeting of the Institute for Agricultural Research (IAR), where the Executive Director underscored the need to prioritise local production. He urged Nigerians to “eat what we produce,” stressing the vital role smallholder farmers play in sustaining the nation’s food system.
He also called on both government and private sector actors to boost funding for agricultural research, noting that innovation and collaboration are key to achieving national food security goals.
According to him, the institute has expanded its extension services through digital platforms, ensuring that research findings reach farmers promptly and efficiently.
Despite these efforts, he identified inadequate funding as a major challenge hampering research activities and limiting the institute’s impact.
Declaring the meeting open, the Vice-Chancellor of Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Professor Adamu Ahmed—represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration), Professor Bello Sabo—reaffirmed the institution’s longstanding reputation for excellence in research.
He described the collaboration between the Faculty of Agriculture and the Institute for Agricultural Research as a unique and effective model worthy of emulation by other institutions. He urged participants to use the meeting to strengthen ties between researchers and farmers, while developing sustainable strategies for agricultural growth.
The Vice-Chancellor also commended the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Abubakar Kyari, for his continued support for the institute. He further congratulated the minister on his recent appointment as the 49th Chairperson of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) Governing Council.
The annual meeting is expected to promote dialogue, foster partnerships, and generate actionable strategies aimed at improving food security and driving economic growth through climate-smart agriculture.
No comments