ARCN: Federal Government Challenges Institute On Impactful Research Ene Okwanihe, Abuja

The Federal Government of Nigetia has challenged the Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria, ARCN, to carry out research that will impact farmers and food production positively.

The Minister of Agriculture and Food Security Senator Abubakar Kyari gave the charge at the ARCN reform workshop held in Abuja, Nigeria’s Capital City.

Sen. Kyari stated that research has been proven to greatly improve agricultural productivity and the engine room for agricultural productivity, which takes millions of people out of food insecurity.

“Improvement in agricultural productivity has been proven to take millions of people out of food insecurity and low-income status to food secured and improved living standards”

“To drive agricultural transformation, research and training plays a pivotal role. It is the engine room for agricultural development, and our priority as a ministry is therefore to reposition the National Agricultural Research System for greater productivity. This is the main reason why the Federal Government of Nigeria is insisting on the implementation of ARCN Act”

According to him, the meeting couldn’t have come at a better time as there are concerns on ‘growing shortages of staple crops’ such as rice, wheat, cassava, soybean, millet, sorghum among others, which are key to the achievement of food security of the country.

On the issue of training and capacity building, the minister called on the council to embark on more practical training for a robust impact.

“I am using this occasion to direct the Colleges to put emphasis on vocational and skill acquisition in your training programmes. Consequently, I expect your training programmes to be more practical and less in theory. This will enable the beneficiaries of this training programmes to have practical and working knowledge of agricultural businesses”

The Minister further directed the Agricultural Research Council to exercise their principal function of advising the Federal Government through the Ministry of Agriculture on matters related to agricultural research, training, and extension services.

Shakirat Sadiq