The Director General of National Biotechnology Research and Development Agency (NBRDA) Professor Abdullahi Mustapha has emphasised the need to fully adopt biotechnology in order to secure the future of Nigeria’s agriculture.
Professor Mustapha who made the call on Tuesday at the year 2024 National Agriculture Show in Nasarawa State, said that biotechnology has the potential to address some of the challenges faced in agriculture.
Represented by the Deputy Director, Agricultural Biotechnology Department, Mr Bamidele Iyekolo, the NBRDA Boss said through biotechnology, Nigerian scientists are working to develop seeds with high-yielding capacity, high nutrition, and insect and drought tolerance.
“As the heartbeat of Nigeria’s agricultural economy, Smallholder farmers and small-scale processors are yet faced with challenges such as limited access to finance, technology, modern agricultural tools, and market opportunities which limit their potential to contribute even more to our national food security goals.
“At NBRDA, we are very aware of the need to break these barriers, and biotechnology offers powerful solutions to address these challenges. Indeed, NBRDA has the mandate for Research and development, promotion, coordination, and deployment of cutting-edge biotechnology processes, and products for the socio-economic well-being of the nation.
“Through the application of advanced biotechnology, we are working to improve crop yields, enhance disease resistance, and introduce climate-smart technologies that make agriculture more resilient to the impacts of climate change thereby transforming the productivity of smallholder farmers and processors.
“The future of Nigeria’s agriculture lies in empowering our farmers and processors with the tools and technologies they need to scale up and compete in an increasingly challenging global food system.
“One such tool is biotechnology, which is a game changer in achieving higher agricultural productivity, reducing post-harvest losses, and ensuring sustainability”, Professor Mustapha said.
Speaking on the theme for this year’s National Agriculture Show“Incentivizing Smallholder Farmers (SHFs) or Small-Scale Processors (SSPs) to Scale for the Attainment of Food Security in 2025,” he said this was in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led administration’s policy towards attaining food security in Nigeria and it resonates deeply with our mission at NBRDA.
Professor Mustapha said the theme underscores the vital role smallholder farmers and processors play in the agricultural value chain, and the need to empower them to rise to the challenge of feeding our growing population.
He noted that the Agency will continue to work in collaboration with government agencies, international partners, and the private sector to ensure that the benefits of biotechnology are accessible to smallholder farmers and processors.
Professor Mustapha further noted that by providing access to genetically improved crops, pest-resistant varieties, and bio-based products, NBRDA is helping to build a more robust agricultural sector that can deliver on the promise of food security.
“Partnership between governments, research institutions, private enterprises, and the farming communities is key if we are to unlock the full potential of our agricultural sector.
“Indeed, the National Agricultural Show is an excellent platform for fostering such collaborations, and I commend the National Agricultural Foundation of Nigeria, the organizers, for their continued commitment to advancing the interests of Nigeria’s farmers”, he added.