The Federal Government has restated its commitment to conserving Nigeria’s rich plant genetic resources as a core strategy for ensuring national food security, climate adaptation, and biodiversity preservation.
Speaking at a one-day advocacy workshop on Plant Genetic Resources Conservation and Use, the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Marcus Ogunbiyi, emphasized that the conservation and sustainable use of plant genetic diversity are essential to the nation’s agricultural future.
“I am honoured and privileged to stand before you today to address you at this one-day advocacy workshop on Plant Genetic Resources Conservation and Use in Nigeria, a subject that lies at the very heart of sustainable agriculture, national food security, and long-term biodiversity stewardship,” Ogunbiyi said.
“Biodiversity and Plant Genetic Resources are crucial aspects of our agricultural heritage and future. Plant Genetic Resources are the backbone of our food systems, and their conservation and sustainable use are essential for ensuring food security, improving crop production, and enhancing the livelihood of our farmers in Nigeria.”
He noted the need to safeguard the genetic foundations of Nigerian crops.
“This gathering reflects our shared understanding that the future of Nigerian agriculture depends not only on inputs and markets but also on the genetic foundations of the crops we grow,” he stated.
He noted that plant genetic resources, including seeds, landraces, wild relatives, and improved varieties, are “critical raw materials for food production, crop improvement, and adaptation to changing climates,” and represent “centuries of farmer knowledge, cultural heritage, and evolutionary resilience.”
In the face of rising global temperatures, shifting rainfall patterns, emerging pests and diseases, and increasing demand for food, the conservation and sustainable use of these genetic resources is not optional; it is imperative.”
Ogunbiyi called on all actors in agriculture and development to recognize the “critical role plant genetic resources play in ensuring food security and nutrition for our nation.”
Conserving and utilizing plant genetic resources effectively can help ensure food availability, access, and utilization, ultimately contributing to food security.”
He added that these resources also drive economic growth, offering “opportunities for developing new crop varieties, improving crop yields, and enhancing agricultural productivity.”
Nigeria, he said, is richly endowed with a wide range of crops, including yams, cassava, maize, millet, rice, and sorghum, all of which are central to the country’s food culture and traditions. However, he warned that the nation is experiencing a loss in genetic diversity.
He described two main challenges in the country’s genetic conservation efforts: “inadequate conservation, which is exacerbated by inadequate efforts and lack of awareness about the importance of plant genetic resources,” and “loss of biodiversity plant genetic diversity due to factors like climate change, habitat destruction, and genetic erosion, which threatens our ability to adapt to future challenges.”
Highlighting government efforts, Ogunbiyi reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to strengthening institutional frameworks for genetic resource conservation, including infrastructure upgrades and regional field collections.
We are working to improve infrastructure, upgrade storage facilities, and scale up field collections across agro-ecological zones.”
He also noted Nigeria’s active collaboration with international partners such as the Food and Agriculture Organization, the African Union, and the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture to ensure that local actions align with global conservation best practices.
He emphasized NACGRAB’s central role as Nigeria’s national genebank and focal point for conservation efforts.
“This National Genebank is critical in conserving and making available plant genetic resources for research, breeding, and development,” Ogunbiyi said.