Food security: Minister tasks agricultural research boards on climate-smart seeds
The Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, has called on the newly appointed Chairmen of the Boards of Agricultural Research Institutes and Colleges to spearhead the development of climate-smart seed varieties as a strategic response to Nigeria’s food security challenges.
Addressing the board chairmen during a formal meeting, Kyari emphasized the deteriorating state of agricultural research in recent years, particularly in the production of quality seeds and sound agronomic practices. He underscored that climate change, shrinking farmland, and a rapidly growing population demand urgent innovations in agriculture.
The Minister charged the institutes and colleges to focus their research efforts on producing drought-resistant, heat-tolerant, high-yield, and fast-maturing seed varieties. He assured the board leaders of his ministry’s open-door policy, encouraging them to seek support whenever necessary.
Kyari reiterated Nigeria’s commitment to stabilizing food prices in a way that protects both consumers and farmers, noting that while significant progress has been made under the current administration, more work is needed to meet the nation’s food security goals.
Additionally, the Minister cautioned the boards against including non-agricultural expenses in their budgets, citing previous embarrassments caused by unrelated spending.
Responding on behalf of the board chairmen, Alphonsus Ogar Eba, Chairman of the Cross River State All Progressives Congress (APC), pledged their dedication to fulfilling the agricultural mandates under President Bola Tinubu’s “Renewed Hope” transformative agenda.
Source: Tribune Online
Expert Review for Agri-Food Stakeholders
The Minister’s directive represents a vital pivot towards repositioning agricultural research as a driver of Nigeria’s food system transformation.
- For Research Institutes: Climate-Smart Seed Innovation Must Be Fast-Tracked
Agricultural Research Institutes must prioritize:
– Developing drought- and heat-tolerant crop varieties.
– Producing high-yield seeds with short maturation cycles to maximize land use.
– Tailoring seeds to Nigeria’s agro-ecological zones for optimal performance.Research output must be market-ready, easily adoptable by farmers, and scalable for national impact.
- For Policymakers: Institutional Accountability and Budget Discipline Are Critical
Kyari’s emphasis on clean budgeting signals a much-needed crackdown on inefficiencies within the agricultural research sector. Ministries must enforce strict budget monitoring to ensure that resources are directed only towards impactful agricultural innovations, not administrative waste. - For Farmers: Expect New Varieties but Prepare for Adoption
Farmers, particularly smallholders, must be prepared to adopt new seed varieties as they are developed. Extension services will need to intensify outreach, training farmers in the management of climate-resilient crops to ensure that research outputs translate into productivity gains at the farm level. - For Agribusiness Investors: New Opportunities in Seed Multiplication and Commercialization
With a clear government focus on seed innovation, agribusinesses involved in seed production, distribution, and agricultural technology services have an opportunity to collaborate with research institutes for commercialization. Investment in seed enterprises can yield high returns if aligned with the emerging demand for climate-resilient seeds. - For Donors and Development Partners: Support Applied Research and Seed System Strengthening
Donors should channel funding towards applied agricultural research projects that have clear pathways to commercialization. Strengthening Nigeria’s seed systems—from breeder seed development to certified seed dissemination—will be essential to scaling the impact of research breakthroughs.
Conclusion: Climate-Smart Seeds Are Central to Nigeria’s Agricultural Future
The focus on climate-smart seed development is both timely and essential. However, success will depend on strong leadership at the research institutions, efficient budget practices, public-private sector collaboration, and an enabling environment that connects research to farmers quickly and effectively. If properly executed, this strategy could mark a turning point in Nigeria’s quest for food security and agricultural competitiveness.
