Dabban Urges NARIs, FCAs to Refocus on National Production Goals
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Dabban Urges NARIs, FCAs to Refocus on National Production Goals
By Alabidun Shuaib AbdulRahman
The Executive Secretary of the Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria (ARCN), Dr. Abubakar Adamu Dabban, has called on National Agricultural Research Institutes (NARIs) and Federal Colleges of Agriculture (FCAs) to renew their focus and prioritise production in line with national food security goals.
Dr. Dabban made the call during a working visit to the National Horticultural Research Institute (NIHORT), Ibadan, on Thursday, stressing that the institutions must key into the directive of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security to reposition the sector.
He said the Council was already working to strengthen linkages among research institutes and colleges, while efforts were ongoing to secure additional funding for research through partnerships with key stakeholders.
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According to him, negotiations are at advanced stages with the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) to support agricultural research in critical areas.
“We are the engine room and we shall get seen. Meetings are ongoing to sign a memorandum of understanding with TETFund, and this visit is to ensure that we know where the institute is lagging behind so that when the fund comes, it is deployed to those areas,” Dabban said.
The ARCN boss also disclosed that talks were in progress with the Head of Service on a new scheme of service for the institutes and colleges, even as the Council moves to update guidelines for the management of NARIs and FCAs to reflect current realities, promote best practices and ensure better coordination across institutions.
Welcoming the delegation, the Executive Director of NIHORT, Prof. Muhammed Lawal Atanda, noted the progress achieved in horticultural research but lamented funding delays which, he said, often hinder research delivery.
He urged ARCN to provide more motivation and support for staff to drive innovations, describing the visit as a timely boost for the institute.
Prof. Atanda also commended the NIHORT workforce for their cooperation and resilience despite challenges, stressing that greater results would be achieved with improved institutional support.
INCNews247 reports that the visit was part of the Council’s oversight mission to research institutes nationwide aimed at repositioning agricultural research for greater national impact.
