NBRDA, firm sign MoU to boost sustainable agriculture
The National Biotechnology Research and Development Agency (NBRDA) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with grassroots initiative One Hectare One Family (1H1F) to advance agricultural biotechnology and empower rural households through sustainable farming.
The partnership—formalised in Abuja—targets the distribution of one million high-quality banana seedlings to farmers in Niger State under 1H1F’s homestead farming scheme, in collaboration with the state government.
Speaking at the signing, NBRDA Director General, Prof. Abdullahi Mustapha, described the initiative as a vital step toward addressing farmers’ challenges in accessing quality seedlings and improving yields through biotechnology.
The COO of 1H1F, Onyaole Koku, said the collaboration would enable farmers to access clean, disease-free planting materials, resulting in higher productivity, better incomes, and enhanced food security.
Under the agreement:
- 1H1F will upgrade NBRDA’s tissue culture lab, provide consumables, cover operational costs, and supply technical staff.
- NBRDA will offer scientific expertise, laboratory access, and quality assurance, while also engaging in joint research efforts.
- 1H1F has committed to providing future financial and material support to strengthen biotechnology R&D in Nigeria.
Expert Review for Agri-Food Stakeholders
This partnership between NBRDA and 1H1F presents a practical model for linking biotechnology innovation with grassroots agricultural development. Below are the key points of strategic importance:
- Enhanced Access to Quality Planting Materials – Supplying clean, disease-free banana seedlings directly addresses a key barrier for farmers: poor planting stock. This is crucial for improving yield quality and ensuring resilience against pests and diseases.
- Strengthening Biotechnology Infrastructure – Upgrading NBRDA’s tissue culture laboratory not only supports banana seedling production but also builds capacity for propagating other crops in future, creating a long-term biotechnology asset for Nigeria.
- Economic Empowerment Through Value Chain Development – High-yield banana farming opens avenues for processing, packaging, and export, providing additional income streams for rural farmers and stimulating local economies.
- Research and Knowledge Transfer – The collaboration ensures that farmers benefit from advanced scientific expertise and that innovations in plant breeding and biotechnology reach the grassroots level faster.
- Model for Public-Private Partnerships in Agriculture – This initiative illustrates how government agencies and private initiatives can jointly mobilise resources to tackle systemic agricultural challenges, from input supply to market readiness.
Conclusion
By integrating biotechnology with grassroots farming initiatives, the NBRDA–1H1F partnership could serve as a blueprint for scaling similar interventions across Nigeria. The focus on both technical infrastructure and farmer-level empowerment increases the likelihood of achieving lasting impact in productivity, income generation, and food security.
