Phyto improvement, through an understanding of Phyto Variation would allow for development of crops that are more efficient in their use of water nutrients
Professor of plant science, Celestine Aguoru, has expressed worry that at the level Nigeria’s population is growing with a projection of 10 billion by 2050, if modern methods of farming are not adopted to meet ever-increasing food security challenges, the country would experience a serious food security problem.
Speaking at the 2nd Inaugural Lecture titled: Epexegesis of Phyto Variation: The Groundnorm of Phyto- Improvement for Food Security and Environmental Sustainability, held at Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University Makurdi, JOSTUM, Aguoru, emphasized as central, the study of Phyto-Variation which is the diverse genetic, biochemical and morphological differences within plant species to the broader goal of ensuring food security and environmental science.
The plant scientist explained that understanding these variations would allow both scientist and farmers to improve crop productivity, enhance resilience to biotic and abiotic stresses in order to maintain the ecological balances necessary for sustainable development of futilization of plants and plant products.
Professor Aguoru, further expressed worry that the increasing population and demand for food would be a major problem in Nigeria with a growing population projected at 10 billion by 2050,a situation that will place unprecedented pressure on the global food system, stressing that to meet the global demand, food production will need to increase by approximately 70 percent.
He argued that Phyto improvement of plant characteristics through elucidation and subsequent exploitation of variations among such characteristics would provide a vital tool for addressing food security challenges.
Professor Aguoru, noted that to achieve food security in the context of rapid growing global population and increasing frequency of extreme weather event due to climate change, farmers must be guided by an understanding of Phyto Variation, pointing out that it is central to addressing this challenge by developing crops that are more productive, resilient and efficient in their use of natural resources.
He added that Phyto improvement, through an understanding of Phyto Variation would allow for development of crops that are more efficient in their use of water nutrients, and sunlight, thereby reducing the environmental footprints of farming.
According to professor Aguoru, the study will contribute to food security by increasing crop yields, improved nutritional contents of plants as crops and medicines, development of disease and pest resistant varieties as well as climate resilient crops, adding that on the environmental Sustainability the study would aid the use of water and nutrients efficiently, reduce the use of pesticides and other chemical inputs, maintain good soil health and enhance Biodiversity conservation.
Professor Aguoru who said integrating traditional agricultural practices with cutting- edge biotechnological approaches is key to addressing global challenges in food production and environmental conservation called on authorities to halt the speed at which logging is taking place in the society.