Abuja: Agricultural institutions have called for greater investment, collaboration, and policy support to scale up research-driven innovations capable of transforming Nigeria’s food systems, creating jobs, and improving rural livelihoods. The call was made at the Nigeria day of the 9th Africa Agriculture Science Week (AASW9) in Abuja. Prof. Olusola Kehinde, Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), emphasized that agricultural institutions have evolved beyond their traditional teaching role to become innovation hubs addressing farmers’ challenges and driving national development.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Kehinde highlighted agriculture as a strategic sector in Nigeria, contributing significantly to GDP, employment, and rural livelihoods despite challenges like low productivity, climate change, post-harvest losses, and inadequate mechanization. Presenting a paper titled ‘Success Stories of Agricultural Innovations by Agricultural Institutions,’ Kehinde underscored the importance of innovation and collaboration in modernizing agriculture and strengthening food security.
Kehinde stated, “Innovation and collaboration are the twin pillars required to modernize agriculture, improve productivity, and enhance food security. Our agricultural institutions are no longer just centers of learning; they are engines of innovation, enterprise development, and human capital capable of transforming Nigeria’s agricultural sector through research-driven solutions.” He also mentioned that FUNAAB has developed technologies in cassava processing, maize value addition, and horticultural preservation, producing value-added products like odourless fufu, cassava bread, garri, honey, processed cashew nuts, and palm wine.
The innovations have reportedly reduced post-harvest losses, extended product shelf life, and stimulated the growth of agro-based small and medium enterprises. Farmers using the university’s cassava processing technologies have recorded income increases of up to 60 percent, while its agripreneurship, biotechnology, digital agriculture, and extension programs are creating jobs and strengthening local value chains. Kehinde urged the government to increase investment in agricultural research, biotechnology, digital agriculture, and agripreneurship while sustaining policies that would enable institutions to commercialize innovations and enhance Nigeria’s competitiveness.
Prof. Jonathan Atungwu, representing Provosts of Colleges of Agriculture in Nigeria, echoed similar sentiments, stating that agricultural colleges and research institutions have become catalysts for national development. He emphasized that these institutions translate scientific discoveries into practical solutions that improve farmers’ productivity and livelihoods, describing them as “engines of transformation shaping Nigeria’s agrifood future.”
Similarly, Prof. Muhammed Atanda, Executive Director of the Nigeria Institute of Horticultural Research (NIHORT), highlighted indigenous technologies’ role in improving productivity and farmers’ incomes. He cited an innovation capable of producing about 2,650 yam mounds daily, increasing yam yields by 35 percent and farmers’ incomes by 20 percent while reducing labor requirements. This technology has been adopted by Obasanjo Farms, six other farmers, and Egypt-based Tanta Motors for mass production under a public-private partnership arrangement.
Atanda emphasized that the innovation supports national food security, creates employment opportunities, and improves farmers’ livelihoods, underscoring the need to scale up indigenous agricultural technologies through strategic partnerships and increased investment. He also highlighted the contributions of the Nigerian Stored Products Research Institute (NSPRI) in reducing post-harvest losses through storage and preservation technologies, with adoption exceeding 80 percent nationwide.
Atanda called for stronger partnerships, increased investment, and sustained policy support to accelerate the adoption of home-grown agricultural technologies for improved food security, job creation, and rural development.