Role of Food Scientists in Agricultural Research, Innovation, Capacity Building for Food Security, Nutrition, Safety, Income and Sustainable Development in Nigeria

Abstract

Food Science and Technology plays key roles in reducing postharvest losses, enhancing
value through agricultural value addition and ensuring quality and safety in the value
chain of food crops. The Sustainable Development Agenda are a set of 17 interlinked
objectives that the world leaders have committed to since 2015 in closing various gaps
by the year 2030. They are designed as shared 5Ps blueprint for Peace and Prosperity for
People and the Planet, now and Partnership in the future. They are designed as shared
blueprint for peace and prosperity for people and the planet, now and in the future. The
objective of this paper is to highlight the roles food scientists play in Agricultural
Research and Development through capacity building. This covers the efforts in ensuring
food security which is becoming a pressing problem in the country, through product
optimization. It also discusses Food Science and innovations, collaborative work in the
agricultural value chain, donor agencies role in enhancing agricultural research, food
scientists involvement in policy formulation, their activities in capacity building
programmes through training, teaching, mentoring younger scientists and in role
modelling events in encouraging the future generation and in advocacy and advisory
roles for sustainability in the field. Their expertise is crucial in addressing the country's
complex challenges related to food security, nutrition, addressing unemployment through
entrepreneurship which contributes to national economic growth.