Nigeria is intensifying efforts to harness its rich genetic resources to advance agriculture, strengthen food security, and build climate-resilient farming systems. This was reaffirmed by the National Centre for Genetic Resources and Biotechnology (NACGRAB) during the launch of new crops under the Power of Diversity Funding Facility (PDFF) at the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) in Ibadan, Oyo State.
The event, jointly organised by NACGRAB, Crop Trust, and Alliance Bioversity & CIAT, and funded by the German and Irish governments, brought together top researchers, plant breeders, academics, and agricultural stakeholders to discuss ways of boosting crop diversity for sustainable farming.
Speaking at the event, NACGRAB Director Anthony Okere described genetic diversity as the “foundation of Nigeria’s agricultural future,” stressing that it was vital for achieving national food security goals.
“NACGRAB remains committed to conserving, characterising, and promoting Nigeria’s rich plant genetic resources for food and agricultural advancement through collaborative and research-driven initiatives,” he said.
Okere explained that the PDFF symbolises a renewed commitment to building resilient agricultural systems. He said Nigeria’s “opportunity crops”—often neglected in mainstream research—hold immense potential for developing climate-smart food systems.
Director at the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Nuhu Kilishi, hailed the launch of the PDFF as timely, noting that it aligns with the Federal Government’s agricultural transformation strategy.
He revealed that over 50 crops are viable in Nigeria, with 38 value chains already developed. According to him, crop selection will focus on factors such as production advantage, gestation period, and overall economic benefit.
“The ministry will continue to scale up the promotion of other crops beyond the two selected under PDFF to ensure a robust and inclusive approach to Nigeria’s food security and agricultural transformation strategy,” Kilishi assured.
Project Coordinator for Crop Trust, Nico Willems-Possen, said the PDFF is a five-year initiative designed to revive neglected crops that are crucial for nutrition, climate resilience, and food system diversity.
He stated that the project would strengthen gene bank conservation, consumer awareness, and nutritional education while preserving the genetic diversity of resilient crops for future use.
“Through this partnership with NACGRAB and other key stakeholders, we are laying the foundation for long-term agricultural sustainability and improved nutrition for Nigerians,” Willems-Possen added.
Experts say harnessing genetic diversity is critical for developing drought-resistant and disease-tolerant crop varieties, improving soil health, and boosting farmer productivity. With Nigeria facing climate challenges and food inflation, the emphasis on crop diversity is expected to reduce over-reliance on a few staple crops such as maize and rice.
Additionally, diverse crops can open new economic opportunities for smallholder farmers by expanding into underutilised value chains, including indigenous grains, legumes, and vegetables.
Stakeholders at the event agreed that for the initiative to succeed, there must be:
Increased funding for research and development of indigenous crops.
Strong collaboration between government agencies, universities, and private sector investors.
Awareness campaigns to encourage farmers and consumers to adopt diverse crops.
Policy support to integrate genetic diversity into Nigeria’s national food security strategy.
As Nigeria strives to feed its fast-growing population, agricultural experts believe initiatives like PDFF will be instrumental in transforming the sector, creating jobs, and improving nutrition nationwide.