The National Assembly and Agricultural Colleges and Institutions have expressed readiness to strengthen collaboration on food security, agricultural research and legislative support for the sector.
Chairman of the Senate Committee on Agricultural Colleges and Institutions, Senator Sharafadeen Alli, who represents Oyo South Senatorial District, disclosed this on Monday, May 11, 2026, during a press conference held at the Nigeria Union of Journalists secretariat in Iyaganku, Ibadan, Oyo State.
Alli said partnerships had already been initiated with development organisations to support farmers in land preparation, cultivation, harvesting and market access.
He added that plans were underway to reduce post-harvest losses through the introduction of solar-powered dryers for agricultural produce.
According to him, many farmers remain disconnected from modern agricultural innovations despite breakthroughs recorded by Nigerian research institutions.
“We must have the right legislation in place to support our institutions, improve curricula, encourage collaboration and strengthen food security,” he said.
The lawmaker stressed that agriculture without research would amount to guesswork, noting that Nigerian researchers had developed improved crop varieties capable of transforming food production and increasing farmers’ income.
He cited improved cocoa and cassava varieties developed through research, lamenting that many local farmers were still unaware of the innovations.
Alli also expressed concern over Nigeria’s declining dominance in agriculture despite its rich history in agricultural research and production.
He recalled that Malaysia obtained oil palm seedlings from Nigeria decades ago but has since surpassed the country in global palm oil production.
Earlier, Oyo State NUJ Chairman, Akeem Abas, commended Alli for championing reforms aimed at repositioning agricultural institutions and strengthening food security.
Abas said the presence of journalists from several media organisations at the event reflected growing interest in the summit and its expected impact on national development.
Also speaking, the Executive Director of the National Horticultural Research Institute, Prof. Mohammed Atanda, said Nigerian agricultural research institutes possessed skilled personnel and globally competitive innovations but required stronger coordination and support.
Similarly, the Acting Executive Director of the Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria, Adedeji Rasheed, called for increased private sector participation in funding agricultural research.
Rasheed said government alone could not adequately fund agricultural research institutions, urging stakeholders benefiting from agricultural products to invest in research and development.
Nigeria continues to grapple with rising food prices and declining agricultural productivity, with experts repeatedly calling for greater investment in research, mechanisation and extension services to boost local food production and improve food security.
