Professor Veronica Obatolu, a human nutrition expert and former director of the Institute of Agricultural Research and Training, Ibadan, has revealed in an interview with The Punch Newspaper how climate change threatens agricultural development.
She said, “One of the major challenges is climate change. If we want agricultural development, money needs to be put into research to tackle some of the climate change that is causing problems.” Obatolu emphasised that other issues affecting food security are a lack of research funding and insecurity. Addressing the support for achieving IAR&T’s national mandate of soil and water resource management research and kenaf improvement and management, Obatolu said she has received full support from research scientists.
“I have received 100 per cent support, particularly from the researchers – that is, the research scientists, and both known and non-academic staff of the institute. This is because if they did not support us, we might not be able to record the success we have achieved”, she said. She added that, although there is limited government funding, the institute also seeks funding from TETFund and other sponsors.
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