Don cautions FG over effects of climate change on food security

A professor of Plant Breeding and Genetics, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), Professor Olusola Kehinde has called for sustained efforts to mitigate the current negative effects of climate change in the country both at the national and local levels, in order to ensure food security.

The don admonished the Federal Government on the need to be sensitive to the issue of climate change, which he said is a global matter that could lead to food insecurity and famine in the country.

He made the call while delivering the university’s 70th inaugural lecture at the Oluwafemi Balogun Ceremonial Building of the institution, titled ‘From Generation to Generation: Plant Genetics Diversity, Continuity and Discontinuity.’

He also called for the need to bridge the gap between university researchers and scientists at the National Research Institute with a view to enhancing research outputs in the agricultural value chain which would ensure food security in the country.

According to him, the synergy and collaboration between the two needs to be strengthened so as to carry out demand-driven, farmer-centred and problem-solving researches that will justify their existence, stressing that the federal and state governments need to demonstrate sincere commitment towards research activities by increasing the funding made available to universities and research institutes.

Professor Kehinde, who is also the deputy vice chancellor (Development) of FUNAAB, said there must be adequate funding and sustained efforts for plant genetic resources exploration, collection, characterisation and conservation in Nigeria, for both cultivated species and their wild relatives.

The Inaugural Lecturer called on relevant authorities and agencies to ensure regular review of existing national legislations backing plant genetic resources conservation and utilisation, stressing that concerted efforts must also be made to enforce these laws.

Professor Kehinde stated that Nigeria must not shy away from the cultivation and use of Genetically Modified (GM) crops, adding that “Concerned regulatory authorities should however, ensure that such crops meet bio-safety standards.”

He stressed the need for FUNAAB to further strengthen the existing synergy and collaboration between the Institute for Food Security, Environmental Resources and Agricultural Research (IFSERAR); Agricultural Media Resources and Extension Centre (AMREC) and relevant Colleges in the university to carry out demand-driven, farmer-centred and problem-solving researches that would justify the existence of the university.

“Our university should also continue to develop human capacity and materials resources in biotechnology which should be deployed towards promoting agricultural research and food production in our catchment areas,” he stressed.

YOU SHOULD NOT MISS THESE HEADLINES FROM NIGERIAN TRIBUNE

We Have Not Had Water Supply In Months ― Abeokuta Residents

In spite of the huge investment in the water sector by the government and international organisations, water scarcity has grown to become a perennial nightmare for residents of Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital. This report x-rays the lives and experiences of residents in getting clean, potable and affordable water amidst the surge of COVID-19 cases in the state.