By Gabriel Ewepu

ABUJA- THE Minister of State for Agriculture and Rural Development , Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, has charged research institutes in the agricultural sector to commercialise their research products to increase Internally Generated Revenue, IGR, in order to sustain their institutes.

Lokpobiri

Lokpobiri stated this while on a two-day facility tour of the three research institutes domiciled in Ahmadu Bello University, ABU, Zaria, including Institute for Agricultural Research, IAR, National Agricultural Extension Research and Liaison Services, NAERLS, and the National Animal Production Research Institute, NAPRI.

He also visited the National Farmers Helpline Center, NFHC, Farm Broadcaast, Printing Press and the Green House at NAERLS. At NAPRI, the Dairy, Poultry, Artificial Insemination Units and the Grass Forest, the Biotechnology Laboratory, Agriculture Mechanization Workshop and the Exhibition Hall.

According to him commercialization of these institutes has become imperative, because government cannot shoulder funding of their activities, hence their managements need to partner with donor agencies and development partners for support.

He said: “We appreciate what the institutes are doing in the agricultural sector over the years. We acknowledge your achievements despite challenges faced over the years. But there is the need for further investment in research and manpower development to enable the country achieves self-sufficiency in food production.

“That is why ommercialisation of the institutes has become imperative as government alone cannot continue to provide the required funding for the institutes. The managements should partner with relevant donor agencies to support them in this regard. If you don’t commercialize, you cannot maximize your potentials”

Meanwhile, the minister maintained that the President remains committed to add value by giving all the support farmers need in terms of supply of agricultural inputs including fertilizers, herbicides, pesticides and farm implements and tractors.

In his earlier remarks on behalf of other directors of agric research institutes, the Executive Director, NAPRI, Prof.C.A.M Lakpini, disclosed to the Minister that they were working hard to ensure partnership with the private sector was achieved, which they have made move to the Bank of Agriculture, BOA, UAC Foods and Alar Foods in the area of mobilization of farmers clusters that would drive the commercialization process.

Similarly, Ahmadu Bello University, ABU, Micro Finance Bank ABU Micro Finance Bank reveals making 300million profit after tax from loans disbursed to farmers for their various farming activities.

The Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof. Ibrahim Garba, made this known disclosed this during a courtesy call paid him by the Minister of State for Agriculture, Sen Heineken Lokpobiri, while on familiarization tour of agricultural institutes at the University.

According to Garba the bank started with an initial capital of N20 million, which focused on supporting smallholder farmers to raise their standard living. He commended the farmers for full repayment of their loans.

The minister in his reaction over board appointment for the university assured that despite delays on inauguration of the boards of the various institutes was due to respect the provisions of the act will soon inaugurate the boards of the institutes.