By Gbenga Sodeinde in Ado Ekiti
A University don, Dr. Taiye Gloria Olubiyo of Kogi State University, Kabba has suggested a scientific solution as a way out of current Nigeria’s economy problems.
Apparently worried by the current Nigeria’s economic situation, Dr Olubiyo of the department of Biological Sciences, stated that Nigeria can come out of her current economic stagnation earlier than expected with the use of biotechnology if applied into the system.
Olubiyo pointed out that Biotechnology is not a silver bullet but a strategic tool to transform Nigeria’s agricultural sector, adding that with strong policy support, infrastructure investment, and farmer engagement, biotechnology can significantly reduce hunger, improve nutrition, and build resilience against climate change securing Nigeria’s food future.
In her paper, titled: “The Role of Biotechnology in Strengthening Nigerian Food Security” and which was made available to Heritage News in Ado Ekiti, Dr. Olubiyo stated that food security remains one of Nigeria’s most urgent challenges currently.
Noting that rapid population growth, climate change, and outdated farming practices continue to strain the agricultural system over time, the university don said Biotechnology therefore offers innovative tools to enhance productivity, improve resilience, and reduce losses positioning Nigeria toward a more sustainable and self-reliant food system.
She explained that biotechnology is a scientific solution that can be used to improve food Security, development of high-yielding, short-cycle crops to boost production and reliability as far as the current Nigeria’s economy situation is concern.
Dr Olubiyo explained further how pest and disease resistance, genetically modified crops can reduce losses from pests, weeds, and diseases, that has been a major source of farmer losses.
“Nutritional Enhancement: Biofortification of staple foods (e.g. vitamin-enriched cassava, maize) to tackle widespread malnutrition.Climate Resilience: Drought, flood, and heat-tolerant crops to secure harvests under changing weather conditions.Reduced Post-Harvest Losses: Biotech based preservation methods extend shelf life and ensure food availability year round”. She posited.
Speaking about what she described as Key Challenges inhibiting food production in Nigeria, Dr Olubiyo who listed population pressure and climate Change, pointed out that rising demand against uncertain weather patterns, pests and diseases, frequent outbreaks are part of the major challenges that are reducing farmers yields and incomes in the country.
On how effectively the Biotechnology can be adopted before it would produce the desired result, the university don however listed out environmental Biology, plant Biology, weak Infrastructure, insufficient laboratories, seed production facilities, and storage systems as major impediments that slow biotech adoption.
While suggesting the way out, Dr Olubiyo therefore listed policy opportunities and recommendations adopt and scale genetically modified crops, prioritize locally adapted varieties to improve yields and ensure steady supply.
The University don also stressed that support Tissue Culture Programs should be adopted in a bid to expanding disease-free planting materials, especially for yams and other key staples.
She equally pointed out more importantly that strengthen regulation and oversight, empower agencies such as NABDA and OFAB should be adopted to enforce science-based, transparent, and safe biotechnology frameworks in a bid to ensure effective implementation of the policy
“Invest in Infrastructure and Research, build modern labs, storage systems, and manufacturing capacity for biotech innovations. Foster Collaboration, encourage partnerships between government, universities, private sector, and farmers to accelerate technology transfer and adoption”. She added