The state of agricultural research and its commercialization in Nigeria

Abstract

Nigeria has an extensive agricultural research system with an impressive number of research results and technological innovations. However, these are inadequately applied in the private agricultural sector. The causes lie in insufficient  publicity of the findings, bad presentation, lack of procedures for large-scale introduction to the agricultural practice, financial obstacles, risk factors, and cultural barriers. Hybrid maize and minisett yarn and yam pounder are presented as case studies insufficient utilization of these technologies. The suggestions derived aim at improved infrastructure, enhanced cooperation of research and extension systems, and increased participation of the potential users (farmers) in determining research goals.