FG harps on genetic plant diversity to boost food security
The Federal Government has said called for the sustainability of plant genetic diversity warming that a loss of the policy is a significant setback to Nigeria’s food security ambitions and could further expose Nigeria to agricultural vulnerabilities. The permanent secretary Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (FMAFS), Dr. Marcus Ogunbiyi gave the warning […]
The Federal Government has said called for the sustainability of plant genetic diversity warming that a loss of the policy is a significant setback to Nigeria’s food security ambitions and could further expose Nigeria to agricultural vulnerabilities.
The permanent secretary Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (FMAFS), Dr. Marcus Ogunbiyi gave the warning at a one-day advocacy workshop on plant genetic resources conservation and use, held in Abuja on Wednesday.
He said that stakeholders must raise awareness, harmonise efforts and mobilise action to preserve, document and utilise Nigeria’s rich plant genetic heritage in ways that serve both current and future generations.
The top government official said that the country’s wealth of genetic diversity, including crops like yams, cassava, maize, millet, rice, and sorghum, forms the backbone of its food systems and traditional diets. Yet, this heritage is increasingly threatened by global temperature rises, shifting rainfall patterns, pest outbreaks and population pressures.
“In the face of climate change and rising food demand, the conservation and sustainable use of these genetic resources is not optional – it is imperative. The loss of plant genetic diversity threatens crop productivity, resilience, and the nutritional quality of food, and could diminish our capacity to adapt to future challenges,” Ogunbiyi stated.
He commended the organisers and stakeholders of the Seed for Resilience (SFR) project, describing their collaboration as vital in recognising that Nigeria’s agricultural future depends not only on inputs and markets but also on the genetic foundations of the crops cultivated.
Also, the permanent secretary of the Federal Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology, Esuabana Nko-Asanye noted the pivotal role of plant genetic resources in achieving food security and transforming agriculture in Nigeria. She urged all stakeholders to see conservation as a shared responsibility that must be upheld for the prosperity of future generations.
“We must protect and preserve these genetic resources as they hold the key to transforming lives and securing our agricultural systems for generations to come,” Esuabana said. “The Ministry remains open to strategic conversations and ideas that can accelerate our progress towards national food security, especially in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of the current administration,” Nko-Asanye said.
On his part, the Director-General of the National Biotechnology Research and Development Agency (NBRDA), Prof Abdullahi Mustapha said the Seed for Resilience project is a forward-thinking initiative and a strategic response to Nigeria’s food and nutrition security challenges.
He noted that conservation and effective use of plant genetic resources would enable the country to build resilience against climate shocks, enhance agricultural productivity and support long-term sustainability.
“At NBRDA, through our dedicated National Centre for Genetic Resources and Biotechnology (NACGRAB), we have been at the forefront of efforts to safeguard plant genetic resources,” Mustapha explained. “These efforts are not theoretical—they are vital to building agricultural resilience and ensuring a stable food supply for our growing population,” Mustapha said.
He noted that a diverse genetic pool enables the development of new crop varieties that are resistant to pests, disease and environmental stress, thereby fortifying the entire food value chain.
Speaking earlier, on the project’s milestones, Director of the National Centre for Genetic Resources and Biotechnology (NACGRAB), Dr. Anthony Okere commended the five-year Seed for Resilience project for catalysing tangible change across Nigeria’s agricultural landscape.
He said the project, which began in 2021 through a partnership with the Global Crop Diversity Trust, aimed to strengthen the efficiency of the national genebank while promoting the wider use of conserved germplasm by farmers and researchers alike.
“Millions of Nigerian farmers are poised to benefit from this project’s results in the coming years. We have successfully established farmer clusters that now serve as early adopters and ambassadors of resilient crop varieties. These groups are future drivers of food security, particularly in the face of climate change,” Okere said.
He noted that through the project, NACGRAB’s capabilities had been significantly upgraded with modern equipment, better documentation, and digitised access to genetic materials. The resources conserved at the genebank are now visible and accessible to researchers worldwide through a global platform, facilitating international collaboration.
He also stressed that these upgrades directly align with Nigeria’s broader goal to mitigate the impacts of climate change, increase food security, and support agricultural development through improved crop resilience.
He said that the workshop was among others to improved stakeholder understanding on the financial requirements for sustainable PGRFA Conservation and Use; policy recommendations or action plans to senior government officials; strategies for sustainability of progress made during the five years of SFR project; obtain serious commitments on funding PGRFA from the relevant Ministries and Agencies; and to establishment of strong collaboration among stakeholders including environment, agriculture, innovation, science and technology