As global conversations around food security and climate change intensify, experts are calling attention to the role of science in transforming how Nigeria manages its agriculture and environment.
Speaking in an interview on the future of sustainable development, Prof. Egbewole Zaccheaus Tunde, Professor of Forest Products Development, Utilization and Environmental Management and Head of the Department of Forestry, Wildlife and Ecotourism at Nasarawa State University, Shabu-Lafia Campus, broke down one of the key tools driving that transformation: biotechnology.
“What exactly is biotechnology?” he was asked.
Biotechnology is the application of biological systems, living organisms, cells, and their derivatives to develop or modify products and processes for specific uses,” Prof. Egbewoleexplained. “In simple terms, it is using science to harness nature to solve human problems.”
The Professor noted that biotechnology is not limited to laboratories or genetic engineering. It spans traditional practices such as fermentation and composting to modern innovations including tissue culture, biofertilizers, biopesticides, and waste-to-wealth technologies.
With over two decades of research experience in forestry, wood science, agroforestry, and environmental management, Prof. Egbewole stressed that for a country like Nigeria, biotechnology offers practical solutions for improving crop yields, managing forest resources, enhancing food processing, and restoring degraded environments.
He added that the country’s vast forests, agricultural lands, and biological resources hold enormous potential, but that potential can only be realized through research, education, innovation, and responsible management.
“Modern science is not separate from agriculture and the environment,” he said. “Scientific research provides the knowledge and innovative approaches we need to use, manage, and conserve our natural resources more efficiently.”
Prof. Egbewole’s work currently focuses on forest plantation management, carbon stock assessment, wood products development, and environmental impact assessment, areas he says can benefit greatly from biotechnological applications.
As Nigeria seeks climate-smart and sustainable pathways for agriculture and forestry, experts say integrating biotechnology into policy and practice may be key to ensuring food security and environmental sustainability for future generations.
What role can biotechnology play in the future of Agriculture, Forestry, Food Production and Environmental Sustainability?According to him
Biotechnology can help develop drought-tolerant, pest-resistant, and high-yielding crop varieties through tissue culture and genetic improvement. It also enables the production of biofertilizers and biopesticides that reduce dependence on chemical inputs, making farming more sustainable and affordable for smallholders in Nigeria.
With his background in forest products development and utilization, Prof. Egbewole emphasizes that biotechnology can improve tree propagation through micropropagation, enhance wood quality, accelerate growth in forest plantations, and support carbon stock assessment. It can also help convert forestry waste into value-added products like bioenergy, bio-composites, and biochemicals, reducing waste and pressure on natural forests.
Biotechnology ensures food security by improving post-harvest handling, food processing, and preservation. It can be used for biofortification to increase nutritional content of staples like maize, sorghum and cowpea, and for developing food products with longer shelf life through fermentation and enzyme technology
This is where biotechnology offers some of its biggest opportunities. It provides tools for waste management, bioremediation of polluted soils and water, environmental impact assessment, and climate change mitigation through carbon sequestration studies. Prof. Egbewole’s research in environmental management and agroforestry aligns with using biotechnology to restore degraded lands and manage natural resources responsibly.
But as Prof. Egbewole notes, that potential can only be realized through research, education, innovation and responsible management. Biotechnology bridges the gap between traditional knowledge and modern science. It is not separate from agriculture and the environment, rather, it provides the knowledge and tools to use, manage, and conserve our resources more efficiently while improving livelihoods and protecting the environment. As discussions on biotechnology continue to gain attention in Nigeria, experts like Prof. Egbewole are key in driving research, training the next generation of foresters and agriculturists, and ensuring that biotechnological innovations are adapted to our local agro-ecological conditions. Biotechnology is not just about labs and genes. It is about using science to grow more food, manage forests better, produce safer food, and keep our environment healthy for future generations.
