VICE-CHANCELLOR, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Professor Simeon Bamire, has said that agricultural research findings by institutions such as the Institute of Agricultural Research and Training (IAR&T), must translate into practical innovations that improve productivity, food security and support national development.
Professor Bamire, noted that the relevance of agricultural research today lies in its ability to provide solutions to real problems faced by farmers, agro-industrialists, policymakers and the wider society.
He stated this in his address during the 2026 in-house review programme of IAR&T, an arm of the institution domiciled in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital with the theme: ‘Cultivating Resilience: Research For Development In A Changing World.’
He said: “One major pathway to engineering resilience in the agricultural sector is through Interdisciplinary collaboration. Modern agriculture can no longer operate in isolation from engineering, environmental science, economics, data science, and biotechnology, We must encourage research teams that cut across disciplines and institutions, because the problems we face today are too complex to be solved within narrow academic boundaries.
“Another important factor is technology adoption and the commercialisation of research outputs. Too often, valuable research findings remain on the shelves, while farmers continue to struggle with outdated tools and methods.
“We must strengthen the linkage between research institutes, universities, private sector partners, and government agencies to ensure that innovations move from the laboratory to the field. Mechanisation, smart agriculture, renewable energy applications, improved seedlings, precision farming, and digital extension services must become integral parts of our agricultural development strategy.”
Professor Bamire also described funding as a major factor, saying sustainable agricultural develoipment cannot be achieved without consistent investment in research infrastructure, laboratories, field facilities and human capacity development.
He, therefore, called for stronger collaboration between the government, private sector, development partners and philantropic organisations to support agricultural research in Nigeria.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Director of IAR&T, Professor Gabriel Oluwatosin, attributed the low research being carried out to paucity of funds, as he described the year under review recorded zero release of funds for capital projects.
Professor, Oluwatosin, however stated that the Institute was able to carry out some research based on the external funds received from TETFUND and the commitment of the Institute’s scientists, who in anticipation of fund release went ahead to spend their personal money to carry out their approved reseach projects.
“For many institutions, this would have been a reason to shut the gates against IN–HOUSE REVIEW this year, but I want to appreciate the ruggedness and the tenacity of our scientists”.
“They did not fold their arms. They proved that while money is a tool, the real engine of the Institute remain the intellectual capital of the reseachers”, He said.
Professor Gabriel Oluwatosin, however called on the three tiers of government to play a significant roles and meaningful intervention on specific issues relating to their immediate environment in a manner that agricultural problems are solved holistically.