Last Updated on March 3, 2025 by Olasunkanmi Olajide
The Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB) is set to collaborate with Innovate UK on advancing Climate-Smart Agriculture, a partnership that brings together stakeholders from the United Kingdom, Brazil, Nigeria, and Ghana to enhance sustainable agricultural practices.
As part of the initiative, applications would open from March 3 to May 7, 2025, for a Climate-Smart Agriculture grant focused on crops and livestock. The funding includes four different projects, valued at £100,000, along with a £20,000 travel grant per project for a seven-month research visit by UK and Nigerian partners to Brazil. Key areas of focus include cassava products and processing, technology transfer, as well as applied and developmental research.
During the visit, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Babatunde Kehinde, led the Innovate UK delegation on a tour of FUNAAB’s research facilities. The team visited the Central Laboratory at the Centre of Excellence in Agricultural Development and Sustainable Environment (CEADESE), the Habanero and Bell Pepper Greenhouse, and the FUNAAB Alpha Chicken project, where they met Emeritus Prof. Olufunmilayo Adebambo. The tour highlighted the University’s progress in ongoing research, particularly a grant-funded project led by the Roslin Institute’s Dr. Watson Kellie in collaboration with Dr. Mathew Wheto of FUNAAB, titled “Identifying Modifiers in FUNAAB Alpha Frizzle Feather Chicken.”
Additionally, another UK Regulators Network (UKRN) project focusing on the Genetic Characterisation of Muturu Cattle was highlighted. The research, spearheaded by Dr. Oluyinka Opoola with Dr. Mathew Wheto as the African partner, aims to enhance cattle breeding and genetic studies.
Representing Innovate UK during the visit were Dr. Joanna Scales, Knowledge Transfer Manager for UK and International AgriFood, as well as Dr. Pedro Carvalho.
Pictures are attached below 👇
