Nigerian Plant Breeders Demand Funding for Food Security

At the 4th International Conference of the Nigerian Plant Breeders’ Association (NPBA) held from Sept. 23 to 24, 2026, at the Nicon Luxury Hotel in Abuja, Nigerian plant breeders and stakeholders in agriculture urged for stronger funding and investment in infrastructure to address food security challenges. The conference, themed “Leveraging Breeding Innovations and Strategic Partnerships for Agribusiness Investment, Stable Supply Chain and National Food Security in a Changing Climate,” gathered various participants including researchers, seed companies, and government representatives.

Dr Solomon Afuape, Director and Research Coordinator of the Sweet Potato Programme, highlighted that inadequate infrastructure discourages agricultural investment, leading to significant losses for investors. He called for increased government funding for agricultural research and emphasized the need to boost agricultural productivity rather than expanding cultivated land.

Prof. Muhyideen Oyekunle from the Institute for Agricultural Research urged partnerships for stronger funding proposals, while Prof. Richard Akinwale noted environmental factors as critical in agricultural variability.