By Joy Adeyiga & Femi Dansu

The Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB) in collaboration with the Landmark University, Omu-Aran, Kwara State and the University of Maiduguri, Borno State have united their expertise to propel Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA) into the forefront of Nigeria’s agrifood system.

The basis of the collaboration was revealed at the Project Inception Meeting, titled “Strengthening Farmers-led Innovation for Transition to Climate-Smart Agriculture in Nigeria.”

Funded by the 2023 Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) National Research Fund (NRF) Intervention grant secured by FUNAAB, the collaboration aimed to pool the collective knowledge and experience of these institutions to tackle the challenges posed by climate change in agriculture.

Addressing the gathering at the Opening Ceremony, FUNAAB’s Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Babatunde Kehinde, underscored the significance of the project, noting the University’s commitment to finding sustainable solutions to the nation’s agricultural challenges.

He stressed the importance of African institutions taking the lead in addressing the continent’s unique challenges, particularly in agriculture and food security, even as he highlighted the University’s reputation for winning national research grants.

In his submission, the Dean, College of Agricultural Management and Rural Development (COLAMRUD), Prof. Emmanuel Fakoya pointed out the pivotal role the College played in supporting groundbreaking research.

He urged all lecturers within the College to ensure that both graduate and undergraduate students directly benefit from the latest scholarly endeavours.

A resource person for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and former Vice-Chancellor, LMU, Engr. (Prof.) Adeniyi Olayanju, stressed the importance of partnerships in achieving developmental goals, echoing the sentiments of the United Nations.

He urged the project team to push beyond creativity and strive for innovation in enabling farmers to adopt CSA practices effectively.

The Director, Directorate of Research, Innovations and Partnership (DRIP), Prof. Mutiu Busari, on the other hand reiterated the University’s track record in securing national research grants.

He noted the critical focus of the research group on adapting to climate change, particularly within the realm of small-scale farming.

The Principal Investigator, Prof. Adebayo Shittu who was represented by Prof. Adebayo Jegede noted the significance of Climate-Smart Agriculture in achieving sustainable food production, especially in sub-Saharan Africa.

He stressed the timeliness of the project amid growing concerns about climate change’s impact on agriculture’s future.

The project’s overarching goal is to bolster farmers’ capacity to embrace Climate-Smart Agriculture and ensure that CSA initiatives are inclusive, transparent, and supportive of farmer-driven innovation.

This collaborative effort marked a significant stride towards integrating CSA practices into Nigeria’s agricultural landscape, with eagerly anticipated outcomes poised to shape the future of the nation’s agrarian sector.