Concentrate on Production of Quick Maturing Crops, Research Council Advises FG

James Emejo in Abuja

The Executive Secretary, Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria (ARCN), Prof. Garba Sharubutu, has advised the administration of President Bola Tinubu to concentrate on the production of quick maturing crops including rice, cassava, yam and wheat, among others, in order to achieve the country’s food security agenda.

Speaking at a media briefing Friday, he said the government’s emergency declaration of food security could only be realised by exploring early maturity crops and improved seeds that could boost existing yields.

He said the council had just released 23 new crop varieties for planting in the country, and recruited 1,650 scientists to help with new agricultural research with the approval of the Federal Government.

He said the new crop varieties are not only early maturing, but also resistant to pests and diseases as well as draught.

Sharubutu said: “We now have four new varieties of maize that are resistant to army worm, a major destructive maize disease. They are also quick maturing and resistant to the effects of climate change. We also have new varieties of beans that can resist insects that decrease their productivity.

“We have varieties of tomatoes and Okro, that are quick yielding to give us large number of products per hectare and many more.”

He said the council, which was established in 2006, has the mandate to advise the government on matters concerning agricultural research, training and extension services.

According to Sharubutu, “If we need food to be placed on the table, our advice to the government is to concentrate on quick maturing crops. What do we mean by quick maturing crops? We mean rice, we mean yam, we mean cassava, we mean Guinea corn, millet. These are what we call the quick maturing crops.

“But our advice also is that other products or commodities should not be neglected. We cannot neglect the cash crop because of the need to diversify the economy. And if you look at the mandate of Mr. President, and his priority list he mentioned food security as a priority.”

He said the country currently has about 16 research institutions with specific mandates to focus on different crops.

He said: “So there are those that are in charge of mainly cereals, that is, grains, like rice, beans. There are those that are in charge of tree crops, like rubber, palm oil. There are also those that are in charge of fisheries, marine and fresh water.

“There are those that are responsible for livestock, like the National Veterinary Research Institute, as well as the National Animal Production Research Institute. There are also those that are responsible for extension, national agricultural extension research and liaison services.”

The ARCN boss further emphasised on the need for greater partnership with farmers and commodity association towards achieving the food security mandate of the Federal Government.

“We need closer collaboration with our farmers, commodity associations and meteorological units. If you recall when President Tinubu was talking about the declaration of a state of emergency, he said he wants to revive the commodity associations.

“Some of these farmers listen more to the leadership of their association much more than they listen to the government, because the politicisation of our polity in itself makes some people not to listen to certain radios, not to listen to television programmes. They listen to what they want to hear.

“So, we think that the commodity associations will do better if they actually key into the programmes of government.

“Most of the associations were gearing up towards how much budget is going to be made so that they will be able to manipulate and get these resources to reach the farmers.

“The declaration of emergency is not just about pumping more money, it is also about education. And I call on our commodity associations to please key into this policy by way of educating their members as to the viability of some of these things we preach,” he said.