NBRDA’s Centre Driving Bioentrepreneurship Innovations in the Niger Delta

The Bioresources Development Centre (BIODEC), Odi, under the National Biotechnology Research and Development Agency (NBRDA), is spearheading innovative bioresource projects designed to boost food security, create jobs, and promote sustainable development in Bayelsa State and neighbouring communities.

Located in Bayelsa State, the Centre is one of NBRDA’s 39 Bioresources Development Centres nationwide dedicated to advancing biotechnology research and enterprise development.

Under the vision-driven leadership of the Director General, Prof. Abdullahi Mustapha, the Centre is fast emerging as a hub for bioresource innovation, enterprise incubation, and youth empowerment in the Niger Delta.

The Centre’s Coordinator, Dr. Timi Wood, disclosed that BIODEC Odi has launched a Lowland Rice Project to evaluate the growth and yield performance of improved rice varieties suited to the Bayelsa environment. Lowland rice refers to rice cultivation in fields that are flooded, semi-flooded, or where water accumulates.

The initiative includes seed multiplication, demonstration farms, and training for farmers and youths on best agronomic practices such as land preparation, seed treatment, nutrient management, and pest control.

By linking farmers to local rice milling and processing markets, the project is expected to boost local production, create income opportunities, and reduce dependence on imported rice. This initiative directly supports Nigeria’s food security and self-reliance goals.

To promote food and industrial cassava production, while improving rural livelihoods and national agro-industrial growth, the Centre is distributing free cassava stems to farmers and entrepreneurs.

To further support farmers, the Centre has made fingerlings available for sale to aquaculture entrepreneurs across Bayelsa and neighbouring states.

In addition, the Centre has introduced Black Soldier Fly (BSF) maggot production as a sustainable and protein-rich feed option, reducing costs and promoting environmentally friendly aquaculture.

Beyond research, BIODEC Odi is nurturing a new generation of bio-entrepreneurs through its Bio-Entrepreneurship Training Services (BETS). The programme offers hands-on training in aquaculture, cassava processing, and animal breeding, providing mentorship, start-up linkages, and post-training support. The initiative which targets youths, women, and rural entrepreneurs, empowers them to establish profitable, science-based enterprises.