With increased funding we can do much better —Olaniyan, NIHORT boss

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With increased funding we can do much better —Olaniyan, NIHORT boss

The Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer, National Horticultural Research Institute (NIHORT), Ibadan, Dr Abayomi Olaniyan, in this interview shares with NURUDEEN ALIMI some research breakthroughs recorded by the institute and how increased funding can bring forth more research excellence.

Can you share with us the core mandates given to NIHORT?

As the name implies National Horticultural Research Institute (NIHORT), the institute started as fruits vegetable research centre with the assistance of UNDP and FAO in 1975 and it metamorphosed into a national research institute in 1976.

It has the national mandate to research into horticultural crops. And when you are talking about horticultural crops you are talking about fruits, vegetables, spices and ornamental. You also look at the value chain that is the production, the processing, the marketing and the nutritive aspect.

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How well can you say NIHORT has lived up to these mandates?

Let me just say that we have the information concerning the horticultural crops. When you are talking about horticultural crops, they are diversity we have collection of horticultural crops in terms of fruits, vegetables, spices and we have been able to identify some of the crops that are adaptable to our own ecology in Nigeria. Specifically we have been able to give varieties that can be grown in various ecology in Nigeria. And also talking about processing, We have been able to add value to some horticultural crops for them to be available especially during off-season. Also, when talking about planting materials, we have been able to attend to the need of the farmers and whenever there are some challenges especially in terms of horticultural crops we have been able to address those challenges.

Would you say the institute is being funded efficiently to ensure smooth and proper execution of its mandates?

There is no time funding would be sufficient. We can say funding has not been enough. Under the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari, the situation has improved even though we still expect that it should be better. We are just coming up from a dilapidated structure, laboratory and trying to resuscitate them.

Can you boldly say that there is adequate manpower to drive the activities of NIHORT?

In terms of manpower, I can say we are a bit okay as of now but when you are talking about materials to work with it is not enough.

What are those landmark research breakthrough NIHORT has recorded?

For instance when we talk about crop adaptability we have been able to identify some crops that are adaptable in various ecological zones. For example when you talk about citrus, we have been able to identify the citrus that are adaptable to Nigerian ecology, mango adaptable to Nigerian ecology, we have been able to identify vegetable seeds that farmers can use for improved yields. Also we have been able to meet the increasing demands of planting materials for farmers.

On a final note sir, in what area do you think the government can still support the institute to ensure that it lives up to expectations?

We still need to improve on our infrastructure, in terms of research. Electricity is a major constraint, if we can have increased funding, in terms of facilities upgrade and also in terms of environment especially office accommodation for staff and regular training of staff. By and large, all these can only be attributed to the need for increased funding.

With increased funding we can do much better —Olaniyan, NIHORT boss
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