Expert harps on research to boost agricultural production

EXPERTS at a Biotrade Roundtable on Natural Products from herbs and agro-forestry have harped on the need for farmers and other relevant stakeholders to inject science research in developing the agricultural value-chains.The President of Bio-resources Institute of Nigeria (BION) and the former chairman of Independent Electoral Commission, Prof. Maurice Iwu stressed the need yesterday in Abuja, saying that there was need to align biological research with farming to make the country economically sustainableIwu, who posited that agricultural practice without science is just farming, stated that Biotrade Project seeks to enhance the capability of Nigeria to produce value-added foods and agro-forestry products including services for both domestic and international markets.He added that the project would be focused in four major areas, which include; project assessment, value chain analysis, market research with technical trade capacity and technical trade capacity development.He mentioned that adding science to agriculture is the key to growing the sector in country, adding that techniques use in medical and mathematical science will be brought to bear in agriculture to boost food production.His words: 'The present initiative is aimed at harnessing our expertise and experience in this field to facilitate the conversion of Nigeria's plant resources into value added commercial successes through international networking, profiling, product certification and sales.'As facilitators, our main focus will be on enhancing sustainable bio-resources management, product development, value added processing and marketing.'Iwu expressed optimism that outcome of the roundtable deliberation would link agriculture, science and technology as well as commerce to assist state governments and private sectors to successfully develop an export market for food and agro-forestry products in the United State, Europe and Asian markets. Aside, he said it would create jobs and alleviate poverty in rural areas.Reacting on field of question on how local farmers would benefit from the project, he said they are developing a network between the large farm holders and small-scale farmers, expressing optimism that the state government would take a cue from the capacity building to educate the rural farmers.In his word: 'Nigeria has all the necessary capacity like the National Agency of Food and Drug Administration Control (NAFDAC) to regulate, the National Research Council and all the agency must work hand in hand to help alleviate poverty, provide job through farming.
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