Food crisis: Presidency directs research institutes, agriculture colleges

To improve the food security situation in the country, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Food Security, Barrister Yejide Ogundipe, has emphasized the critical role research institutes and Colleges of Education must play in boosting food production.

The SSA, who spoke at a quarterly meeting of the provosts of national committees of agricultural research institutes and related matters, emphasized that ensuring food security requires a multi-sectoral approach, especially from academia.

She said, “The role of Research Institutes and Colleges of Agriculture cannot be overstated, as knowledge remains a critical determinant of agricultural productivity. Globally, academic institutions play an invaluable role in advancing research, technology, and best practices that transform the agricultural sector.”

Barrister Yejide highlighted that one of the major threats to food security in sub-Saharan Africa is climate change. Nigeria, like many other West African nations, faces the adverse effects of climate change, with desertification threatening arable land in the North and persistent flooding affecting the South, hence the need for research institutes to develop improved crop varieties.

She further stressed the need for capacity development of extension workers so they can educate farmers on modern farming techniques in order to increase yield per hectare in the country.

Additionally, the SSA to the President stressed the need for agricultural education institutions to extend their focus beyond production and provide training on post-harvest management solutions to reduce food losses and improve food availability.

While noting that the country’s agricultural landscape is still dominated by subsistence farmers, she harped on the urgent need to attract younger generations to agriculture. Colleges of Agriculture and Research Institutes must play a critical role in fostering agripreneurship by equipping students with the knowledge and skills necessary to establish successful agricultural enterprises.

To achieve this, she said institutions must revamp their curricula to include specialized training in modern agricultural methods such as greenhouse farming, hydroponics, and precision agriculture.

Barrister Ogundipe pointed out that the vast tracts of unused land in the possession of academic institutions in Nigeria can be repurposed for food production and food processing hubs, adding that these institutions can help curb the food crisis by involving undergraduates and youth from local communities in farming activities while adopting modern agricultural practices and tools.

She said, “Such an initiative will not only provide food for university residents and host communities but also cultivate a new generation of skilled agricultural practitioners.”

She also called on Colleges and Research Institutes to transition agriculture from being purely theoretical to practical by actively engaging in farming for food production.