Don Tasks FG On Effects Of Climate Change
APROFESSOR of Plant Breeding and Genetics, Olusola Kehinde, has called for sustained efforts to mitigate the current negative effects of climate change at the national and local levels, in order to ensure food security.
The don admonished the Federal Government on the need to be sensitive to global issue of climate change, which he said could lead to food insecurity and famine in the country.
He made the call at the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta ( FUNAAB), while delivering the 70th Inaugural Lecture, titled: “From Generation to Generation: Plant Genetics Diversity, Continuity and Discontinuity.”
Prof. Kehinde also called for the need to bridge the gap between university researchers and scientists at the National Research Institute with a view to enhancing research outputs in the agricultural value chain, which will ensure food security in the country.
According to him, the synergy between these professionals needs to be strengthened for effective demand driven, centred and problem solving researches that will justify their existence, stressing that Federal and state governments need to show commitment towards research activities by increasing funding to universities and research institutes.
Prof. Kehinde who is also the Deputy Vice Chancellor ( Development) of FUNAAB, noted that there must be adequate funding and sustained efforts for plant genetic resources exploration, collection, characterisation and conservation in Nigeria, for both cultivated species and their wild relatives.
The lecturer called on relevant authorities to ensure regular review of existing national legislations backing plant genetic resources conservation and utilisation, adding that concerted efforts must also be made to enforce these laws.
Kehinde stated that Nigeria must not shy away from the cultivation and the use of Genetically Modified ( GM) crops, saying “concerned regulatory authorities should ensure that such crops meet biosafety standards.”
He urged FUNAAB to further strengthen the existing collaboration among the Institute for Food Security, Environmental Resources and Agricultural Research ( IFSERAR);
Agricultural Media Resources and Extension Centre ( AMREC) and relevant Colleges in the university to carry out demand driven, farmer centred and problem solving researches that will justify the existence of the university.
“Our university should also continue to develop human capacity and materials resources in biotechnology, which should be deployed towards promoting agricultural research and food production in our catchment areas,” he said.