Agricultural development: Minister calls for improved funding of research institutes
Research
By Felicia Imohimi
Abuja, March 20, 2020 (NAN)Alhaji Sabo Nanono, the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development has called for improved funding of agricultural research institutes to effectively execute their mandates.
Nanono, who made the call at the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) Forum in Abuja, described funding of research institutes as critical to agricultural development.
The minister, who decried the poor attention given to research institutes in the area of funding, stressed that over the years, previous governments concentrated on building edifice; but no money or grant was allocated for research.
“This is a fundamental mistake”. There are some research institutes that are doing a very good job, especially in the area of cereals and grain production and even some in farms and others.
“But l think over the years, no attention was given to funding those institutes.
“In the first place, we are going to reposition them to be more effective and I am pushing that we give them more money for research because you cannot develop agriculture without research that is the reality on ground.
“Check all the developing countries including India, Pakistan and many others, they develop their agriculture based on research.
“It is unfortunate that sometimes you have to go to Ghana to buy maize seed or rice seed and these are things we are producing here.
“Therefore, we have to work hard as Nigerians and make sure we make research institute effective,” he said.
The minister noted however that some institutes in charge of animal science, animal husbandry and other veterinary issues were doing well, adding that attention should be focused on adequate funding of such institutes.
Nanono decried none availability National Veterinary Hospital across the country.
“We need such hospitals if we really want to improve our livestock ranging from chicken, dogs, pigs, cattle, horses among others.’’ (NAN)
FUA/GY
=======
Edited by Grace Yussuf