Professor Olusola Kehinde, a Professor of Plant Breeding and Genetics has called for the need to bridge the gap between University Researchers and Scientists at the National Research Institutes with a view to improve research outputs in the agricultural sector to ensure food security in the country.
He made this admonition at the Oluwafemi Balogun Ceremonial Building of the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, (FUNAAB), while delivering 70th Inaugural Lecture of the institution, Titled: ‘From Generation to Generation: Plant Genetics Diversity, Continuity and Discontinuity’.
The synergy will help in create a positive change to ensure the transformation of innovations into job-creating commercial products, since innovation is one of the economic currencies of the world and the competition for innovative relevance is fierce globally.
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Collaboration between relevant institutions would ensure they achieved a lot more together in research activities, patent licensing, publications, participation in expert consultations and establishing research centres.
Professor Kehinde noted that strengthened the relationship between the University Researchers and Scientists at the National Research Institute will enable them to carry out demand driven and problem solving researches that will justify their existence.
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The professor who is also the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Development), FUNAAB added that both the federal and state governments need to demonstrate undiluted commitment towards research activities by increasing the funding made available to universities and research Institutes.
He admonished the Federal Government to be sensitive to global issues of climate change which could lead to food insecurity and famine, while calling on relevant authorities and agencies to ensure regular review of national legislations on plant genetic resources conservation and utilization, adding that Nigeria must not shy away from the cultivation and use of Genetically Modified (GM) crops
