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FG seeks stronger research-industry collaboration
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The Executive Director of the UNESCO International Centre for Biotechnology (ICB), University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Emeritus Professor Linus Okpara, has called for greater investment in biotechnology and collaboration among researchers, government and industry to tackle food insecurity in Nigeria and across Africa.
Okpara said biotechnology could improve agricultural productivity, reduce post-harvest losses, enhance food preservation and promote the development of indigenous food products.
He spoke at an international conference on biotechnology for food security and human health, in Abuja, on Wednesday, where six Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) were signed with partner institutions to strengthen research collaboration, resource sharing and technological innovation.
He stressed that addressing food insecurity required interventions across the entire agricultural value chain, rather than concentrating solely on increasing production.
According to him, between 40 and 50 per cent of agricultural produce in Nigeria is lost or wasted, undermining farmers’ incomes and efforts to make food affordable.
“If you tackle one aspect of the agricultural value chain and forget the other, you are not going to solve the problem,” he said.
The professor identified improved seeds, pest-resistant crops, irrigation, appropriate fertiliser application and effective post-harvest management as essential to increasing agricultural productivity.
He noted that yields of some Nigerian and African crops remained significantly below global levels, limiting farmers’ profitability and the country’s ability to meet its food requirements.
Okpara said biotechnology could improve seed quality and develop crops with desirable characteristics, while irrigation and appropriate fertiliser application could further boost yields.
He also emphasised the importance of reliable electricity, cold storage and drying facilities in reducing post-harvest losses. “The crops that we produce are still alive; they are respiring. What do we need to do? We need to maintain the cold chain,” he said.
He disclosed that the centre was developing research programmes focusing initially on indigenous legumes, with the aim of understanding their genetic make-up and processing them into value-added products.
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He said such products could include locally sourced ingredients for baby formula, potentially reducing dependence on imported products and easing costs for families.
On concerns about Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs), Okpara described genetic modification as a scientific tool that could improve crop productivity and resistance to pests and diseases.
He urged Nigerians to focus on safe application and effective regulation rather than misconceptions surrounding the technology.
Okpara explained that the six MoUs would enable participating institutions to share laboratory facilities, technical expertise, human resources and research infrastructure.
He expressed optimism that the partnerships and conference deliberations would produce practical recommendations to strengthen food security, improve nutrition and promote economic development across Nigeria and Africa.
Meanwhile, the Federal Government, through the Ministry of Education, also called for stronger partnerships to translate scientific discoveries into practical solutions.
The Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, represented by the Secretary-General of the Nigerian National Commission for UNESCO, Dr Idowu Olagunju, said biotechnology was increasingly important in addressing population growth, climate change, malnutrition and disruptions to food supply chains.
Alausa, who chairs the governing board of the centre, said biotechnology offered opportunities to improve crop yields, enhance nutritional quality and develop climate-resilient agricultural systems.
He also highlighted its applications in healthcare, including advanced vaccines, gene therapies and personalised medicine.
However, he stressed that scientific innovations must move beyond laboratories to deliver tangible benefits to communities.
He urged government, researchers, industries and civil society to strengthen regulatory frameworks, fund research and ensure wider access to emerging technologies.
