PLANT HEALTH, CROP IMPROVEMENT AND SUSTAINABLE FOOD SECURITY By Professor (Engr) Mohammed Khalid Othman (FNIAE, MNSE, MASABE) National Agricultural Extension and Research Liaison Services (NAERLS), Ahmadu Bello University, PMB 1067 Samaru-Zaria, Nigeria

 A keynote Address presented at the 48 th Annual Conference of the Nigerian Society of Plant

Protection (NSPP), held at Bayero University Kano, on May 15th-18 th , 2023.

Professor (Engr) Mohammed Khalid Othman

 

Preamble

Plant health and crop improvement are essential strategic tools of achieving food security in

Nigeria. Plant health is the state of plants being free from pests, diseases, and other stresses that

can negatively impact their growth and yield. Crop improvement, on the other hand, involves the

use of various techniques and technologies to enhance the yield, quality, and nutritional content

of crops. The combined benefits of these two strategies can immensely contribute to food

security in Nigeria.