The federal government has assured of its plan to support agricultural research institutes to commercialise their research findings for the benefit of citizens and increase the internally generated revenue.
The Minister of state, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Senator Heineken Lakpobiri, disclosed when he visited Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria agricultural complex, consisting of the Institute for Agricultural Research (IAR), National Agricultural Extension and Research Liaison Services (NAERLS), Division of Agricultural Colleges (DAC) and National Animal Production Research Institute (NAPRI) on oversight function on Monday. He explained that the institutes were doing their best in their various capacities to boost agricultural activities and ensure food security as required amid financial problems, assuring that the ministry would do everything possible to assist them achieve their various mandates.
Senator Lakpobirin further stated that the Buhari-led administration was very committed to diversifying the nation’s economy through agriculture in the interest of Nigerians. Lakpobori said commercialising their finding would also add value to agriculture and stimulate growth and viability of the sector.
The minister described agriculture as the bedrock of the country’s GDP and major employer of labour. “The federal government is committed to increasing funding to agricultural research institutions in the country for self sufficiency and development in the sector,” and called for more investment in the area of research and technology to enhance maximum productivity.
In their separate speeches the directors in the complex identified inadequate funding as factor militating against their research activities and urged the minister to intervene to enable their various institutes thrive. Our correspondent reports that the minister was in the company of Mrs. Karimatu Babangida, Director, Department of Agricultural Extension Services in the ministry and other high ranking officials of the ministry
