Institute Calls For Proper Utilisation Of Plants To Boost Food Security

Professor Mohammad-Faguji Ishiyaku, Executive Director, Institute for Agricultural Research (IAR), Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) Zaria, has called for continuous utilisation of plants for national development, including food security.
Ishiyaku made the appeal at the opening of the 29th Annual Conference and General Meeting of Botanical Society of Nigeria (BOSON), in Zaria on Thursday.
He said proper adoption and incorporation of a culture of flora conservation would ensure long-term preservation of the country’s floral biodiversity for future generations.
According to him, plant genetic resources are essential in bolstering agricultural productivity, ensuring food security and facilitating adaptation to evolving environmental conditions.
The expert said that plant genetic resources were also fundamental components for crop improvement and breeding of novel plant varieties.
According to him, plant genetic resources encompass cereals, oil crops, fibres, fruits, vegetables, woody and non-woody plants.
He, therefore, urged key stakeholders to take a leading role in advocating for the continuous ututilisation of plant benefits for national development.
The three-day conference has the theme: `Plants and their Potentials in Combating Contemporary Global Challenges.’
Earlier, Prof. Kabiru Bala, the Vice-Chancellor, ABU, described the theme of the meeting as timely.
Bala, represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Academic, Prof. Danladi Ameh, tasked the participants to come up with suggestions to tackle present economic and environmental challenges such as flooding, food security and diseases.
In his remarks, Chairman of the occasion, Prof. A.K. Adamu, who is the Vice-Chancellor, Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, Lapai, commended the Department of Botany of ABU for hosting the national conference

Lateefah Ibrahim