Agricultural biotechnology R&D and innovations in Nigeria

This study examined the nature and extent of the agricultural biotechnology R&D and innovations in Nigeria. Data were collected from the Directors, Heads of Crop Units and Research Scientists in the agricultural research institutes using structured and unstructured questionnaires and interview schedules. The data collected were analysed using frequencies, means and percentages. The study revealed that there were 48 researchers engaged in the various aspects of agricultural biotechnology R&D, in the research institutes considered. About 32.9% were females, 67.1% were males with mean ages of 38 and 39.5 years, respectively. The majority, 53.2% of the researchers, possessed MSc qualifications with 46.6% specialising in conventional biotechnology. A total of 308 research outputs were recorded in all the research institutes. The most important motivation for embarking on these research projects was the need of the market (72.1%) and the existence of facilities (27.9%). The various bodies responsible for commercialisation of research results were the research institutes (83.3%), entrepreneurs (6.7%), the financial institutions, cooperative farmers and the National Seed Service (3.3%). Only two scientists possessed intellectual property rights and received royalties regularly. However, the majority did not patent their research results because of the lack of interest (45.4%), ignorance (32.0%) and the rigours of the procedure (32.3%).