Abuja: A post-doctoral researcher at the Food System Research Institute (FSR), Dr. Emmanuel Abah, emphasized the importance of accelerating the circulation of improved seeds and hybrids of staple foods as a crucial step towards enhancing food security across Nigeria. He highlighted this during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Dr. Abah recommended optimizing fertilizer use and implementing soil fertility management strategies that incorporate both organic and mineral inputs to combat food insecurity. He described Nigeria’s agricultural food system as primarily driven by smallholder farmers, characterized by informal value chains and a diverse range of staple crops such as yams, cassava, and maize. However, he noted that crop yields per hectare for many staples remain below potential due to factors like low fertilizer application, limited use of improved seeds, and poor soil health.
Dr. Abah pointed out that markets in the country are fragmented, dominated by smallholder traders, and hindered by poor rural roads, gaps in cold-chain storage, and weak contractual relationships between producers and processors. With extensive research experience in agricultural food systems, biomass/bioenergy systems, emission control techniques, and environmental sustainability, he advocated for the promotion of climate-smart farming techniques. These include water harvesting, small-scale irrigation, conservation agriculture, and agroforestry, which can help stabilize yields and sequester carbon.
He also stressed the need to enhance rural infrastructure and markets by improving roads, storage facilities, aggregation centers, and digital platforms that connect farmers to buyers and provide pricing information. Minimizing post-harvest losses and improving value addition through affordable storage solutions, such as hermetic bags and silos, should be prioritized. Village-level processing methods like milling and drying, along with necessary cold-chain logistics, were also recommended.
Dr. Abah called for the expansion of financial services and risk management tools, including microcredit, input vouchers, index insurance, and blended public-private financing to mitigate investment risks. Strengthening institutional support and extension services by professionalizing outreach through blended models involving lead farmers, digital extension, and private providers was also emphasized. He concluded that these efforts should be complemented by boosting business skills and improving post-harvest handling.
