Chairman of the Senate Committee on Agricultural Colleges and Institutions, Sharafadeen Abiodun Alli, has reaffirmed the commitment of the National Assembly to strengthening Nigeria’s agricultural sector through improved legislation, innovation and institutional collaboration.
The Senator stated this on Monday during a media interaction organised by the Nigeria Union of Journalists ahead of the maiden National Legislative Summit on Agricultural Colleges and Institutions scheduled to commence on Tuesday at the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture.
The summit is expected to attract stakeholders from agricultural research institutes, tertiary institutions, development organisations, foreign missions and policymakers to discuss strategies for improving food security, agricultural research, youth participation and sustainable development.
Speaking at the NUJ Press Centre in Ibadan, Senator Alli described the gathering as a crucial step toward repositioning agricultural institutions and ensuring that research outcomes directly benefit farmers and Nigeria’s economy.
He said the initiative was conceived after a retreat organised by the Senate Committee in collaboration with development partners, including PLAC and some United Kingdom-based organisations.
The lawmaker stressed the importance of research in national development, noting that agricultural progress could not be achieved without practical innovations and collaboration among researchers, farmers and government institutions.
He expressed concern over the disconnect between research institutes and local farmers, lamenting that many farmers still lacked access to improved seedlings, mechanised farming methods and technological innovations developed by Nigerian institutions.
Senator Alli pointed out the improved cocoa seedlings capable of yielding within 18 months as against the traditional seven year waiting period, alongside enhanced cassava varieties developed to improve productivity and food supply.
He disclosed that more than 28 agricultural institutions, about 12 embassies and several international development agencies, including the European Union, GIZ, the British High Commission and the Malaysian Embassy, would participate in the summit.
He noted that, agricultural desk officers from participating embassies are expected to explore areas of technical cooperation, investment opportunities and international partnerships capable of boosting Nigeria’s agricultural sector.
The Senator also lamented Nigeria’s declining influence in global agriculture despite its historical advantage, recalling that Malaysia once sourced oil palm seedlings from Nigeria but had since surpassed the country in palm oil production.
He attributed the decline to weak policy implementation, inadequate support for agricultural research institutions and distractions arising from social and political divisions.
Senator Alli further revealed that the committee, in partnership with development organisations, had introduced intervention programmes targeted at supporting farmers, unemployed youths and women through mechanised farming support, land preparation, harvesting services and improved market access.
He explained that the programmes were designed to encourage youth involvement in agriculture, reduce unemployment and improve food production nationwide, adding that solar powered dryers had also been introduced in some farming communities to reduce post harvest losses and improve food preservation.
He therefore, called on journalists to give the summit adequate publicity in order to draw national attention to the challenges confronting agricultural institutions and the need for increased funding and policy support.
Earlier, Chairman of Oyo NUJ, Akeem Abas, described the summit as a timely initiative capable of improving food security and agricultural productivity in the country.
Abas commended Senator Alli for championing institutional reforms in the agricultural sector, noting that the attendance of over 64 media organisations at the parley reflected growing confidence in the Senator’s vision for agricultural development.
Also speaking, Mohammed Lawal Atanda described the summit as the first of its kind within Nigeria’s agricultural research sector, adding that it would provide a roadmap for Sustainable Growth and Development.
Similarly, Acting Executive Director of the Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria, Adedeji Abiodun Rasheed, called for stronger private sector investment in agricultural research, stressing that government alone could not adequately fund research institutions.
Professor Oluwatosin Gabriel also highlighted the role of research in achieving food security and national development while commending Senator Alli for promoting legislative reforms aimed at strengthening agricultural policy implementation in Nigeria.
