The National Assembly and agricultural research institutions have pledged to strengthen collaboration on food security, research and improved legislation as Nigeria continues to battle rising food prices and declining agricultural productivity.
The Chairman of the Senate Committee on Agricultural Colleges and Institutions, Sharafadeen Alli, disclosed this on Monday during a press conference held at the secretariat of the Nigeria Union of Journalists in Iyaganku, Ibadan, Oyo State.
According to the lawmaker, the partnership is aimed at improving agricultural production, connecting farmers to modern farming innovations and ensuring that research findings from Nigerian institutions are properly utilised to support food security across the country.
Alli said discussions had already begun with development organisations to support farmers in key areas such as land preparation, cultivation, harvesting and access to markets.
He explained that many farmers, especially those in rural communities, still lacked access to modern agricultural tools, improved seedlings and updated farming methods despite several breakthroughs recorded by local research institutes.
The senator also revealed that plans were underway to introduce solar-powered dryers for agricultural produce as part of efforts to reduce post-harvest losses.
Post-harvest losses remain one of the major challenges facing Nigeria’s agricultural sector. Large quantities of food produced by farmers are often wasted due to poor storage facilities, transportation problems and lack of preservation technology. Experts have repeatedly warned that the losses contribute significantly to food shortages and rising prices in local markets.
According to Alli, the use of solar-powered dryers would help farmers preserve crops for a longer period, reduce waste and increase their earnings.
He stressed the need for proper legislation that would support agricultural colleges, research institutes and farmers across the country.
“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,” he said.
The lawmaker noted that agriculture could not thrive without research, adding that scientific innovations were critical to increasing food production and improving farmers’ income.
He stated that Nigerian researchers had already developed several improved crop varieties capable of transforming the agricultural sector if properly adopted by farmers.
Alli cited improved cocoa and cassava varieties developed by Nigerian research institutes as examples of innovations that could increase productivity and strengthen export opportunities.
However, he lamented that many local farmers were still unaware of such developments because of weak extension services and poor communication between research institutions and farming communities.
Agricultural extension services are designed to help farmers learn about new farming techniques, improved seedlings and better methods of cultivation. In many parts of Nigeria, however, experts say the system has weakened due to poor funding and shortage of trained personnel.
The senator also expressed concern over Nigeria’s declining position in global agricultural production despite the country’s rich history in farming and agricultural research.
He recalled that Malaysia obtained oil palm seedlings from Nigeria many years ago but had since overtaken Nigeria as one of the world’s leading producers of palm oil.
Nigeria was once regarded as a major agricultural exporter before the discovery of crude oil shifted attention away from farming. In the 1960s and early 1970s, the country was known for the export of cocoa, palm oil, groundnuts and rubber. However, decades of underinvestment, poor infrastructure and policy inconsistency contributed to the decline of the sector.
Today, Nigeria faces increasing pressure to improve local food production as inflation and insecurity continue to affect farming activities in many parts of the country.
Food prices have risen sharply in recent years, placing heavy pressure on households. Staple foods such as rice, beans, garri and yam have become more expensive, while insecurity in farming communities has reduced agricultural output in some regions.
Speaking earlier at the event, the Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists in Oyo State, Akeem Abas, commended Alli for championing reforms aimed at repositioning agricultural institutions and improving food security.
Abas said the large turnout of journalists from different media organisations at the briefing showed the level of public interest in agriculture and national food supply.
He noted that agriculture remained critical to Nigeria’s economic growth and employment generation, especially for young people.
Also speaking, the Executive Director of the National Horticultural Research Institute, Mohammed Atanda, said Nigerian agricultural research institutes had highly skilled personnel and globally competitive innovations.
He, however, stressed the need for better coordination, stronger funding and improved support for research institutions to maximise their impact on national development.
Atanda explained that many breakthroughs achieved by Nigerian scientists remained underutilised because of limited funding and weak collaboration between researchers, policymakers and farmers.
He added that with proper support, local research institutes could help Nigeria achieve food sufficiency and improve agricultural exports.
The Acting Executive Director of the Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria, Adedeji Rasheed, also called for stronger private sector participation in agricultural research funding.
According to him, government alone could not adequately fund research institutions considering the growing challenges facing the agricultural sector.
Rasheed urged companies and stakeholders benefiting from agricultural products to invest more in research and development.
He noted that stronger partnerships between government, private investors and research institutes would help accelerate innovation and improve productivity.
The renewed collaboration between lawmakers and agricultural institutions comes at a time when Nigeria is seeking long-term solutions to food insecurity and economic hardship.