An Expert in Agriculture, Mr Adeola Elliot, has urged the Federal Government to empower agriculture research institutes and universities for effective revival and development of the sector.
Elliot, the Chairman, Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), gave the advice in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos on Tuesday.
“It is time government must get all the universities working, contribute towards research in agriculture.
“All the agencies, like Federal Institute of Industrial Research, Oshodi, (FIIRO), National Office for Technology Acquisition and Promotion (NOTAP), other organisations that are established to help industry and agriculture; it’s time they should get them to work.
“NOTAP can come up with the right formula for feed; we even have companies who are producing feeds but there is no support.
“So we are asking government now to please get the universities to contribute; we have department of agriculture, they need to add value. “The government can subsidise their research results and we use it.’’
Elliot added that the LCCI had formidable groups, especially in agriculture that the government could engage to achieve its agriculture objective.
“Let FIIRO, NOTAP and all other organisations that are pro-research work with us and not political farmers.
“We have universities of agriculture too should run courses; their research work should be done that will help us to be able to improve on what we are doing.
“Look at USAID, now, left some amount of money for agriculture support for Nigeria; and we have started engaging them.
“They established what they call NEPTI is a special vehicle to help entrepreneurs, agriculture and export of agricultural produce.
“Now they are giving us technical support; they are also ready to give us grant; that’s the way to go.
“Government should be objective and pragmatic in what they want to do.’’
According to him, the Federal Government is in the best position to subsidise the research findings of institutions and make it available to farmers at reasonable cost.
Elliot therefore urged President Muhammadu Buhari not to relent in his effort to ensure the nation achieved food sufficiency and increased export capacity