Leveraging Endogenous Research and Innovation for Sustainable Livestock Production, National Food Security and Poverty Alleviation In Nigeria

Abstract

In this treatise, a quick look is taken at the spectrum (range) of research from pure basic, strategic basic, applied, experimental development or research and development (R&D) to endogenous research and innovation (ER&I). It also defines development, innovation, food security, poverty; and discusses some contemporary theories of innovation within the context of organizational/national development. This was followed by an overview of global and Nigerian livestock, Food Security and Poverty situations; and the characterization of the Nigerian agriculture. It emphasizes the strong link between poverty and low agricultural productivity and chronicles the impact of some generated technologies by the National Agricultural Research Systems (NARS) on food production. The trends and patterns of Industry-Government-University research relationships in Nigeria are examined and some illustrations given to show in concrete terms, with examples of the “Asian Tigers” and the BRICS nations, how socio-economic development and human development indices (HDI) have become Research and Innovation-driven.Among the identified constraints to the attainment of food and nutrition security and the curtailment of deepening poverty despite Nigeria's huge agricultural resource endowments include: high cost of agricultural inputs; incessant power outages; chronic under-funding of agricultural research by government and the society, including industries; poor market outlets; huge post harvest losses due, largely, to the decay of research infrastructure needed for value-addition; low value accorded University-Industry R&I partnerships; lack of political will to make existing National Agricultural policies achieve set targets; information dearth and/or low diffusion of the available significant local agricultural R&I outcomes. Others were poor food distribution net works and very limited ACCESS to food and means of food production – land, water, animals, seeds, fertilizers, extension education, technology etcConsequent on the structural issues involved in food security: ie, the scientific challenge of enhanced productivity; the logistical and political questions of distribution; and socio-economic issues of access, robust mitigation paradigms are proposed. First, is to give full and true autonomy to Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria to effectively harness the synergies of the Universities, NARS, Research Institutes and Industries with regard to competencies, endowments (both material & intellectual) to pursue National Food Security programme without undue interference from a supervisory ministry. Also proposed, for poverty mitigation, is a Value Chain model which entails the active promotion of local content policy by government which strategically links ER& I with MSMEs for the manufacture of strategic basic agricultural equipment, foods, animal feeds, drugs/vaccines, goods and supplies with incentives such as tax holiday, low interest rates etc, provided such firms by government; substantial improvement in the power and transportation sectors, among others.