Agricultural experts, policymakers, farmers and other key stakeholders have called for renewed national attention to indigenous crops and stronger engagement with farmers as part of broader efforts to build climate-resilient agriculture in Nigeria.
The call was made at the end of a two-day event comprising a Farmer–Scientist Engagement Programme and a Policymakers/Stakeholders Summit held at Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike in Abia State. The gathering brought together researchers, government officials, development partners, and farmers to discuss practical solutions to the growing challenges posed by climate change on Nigeria’s agricultural sector.
The event was co-convened by Dr. Carol Ibe of the University of Cambridge and the Agri-Impact and Innovation Project (AGRIIP), alongside Prof. Olayinka Nwachukwu of the host institution. The programme formed part of a research initiative titled “Building Nigeria’s Capacity for Climate Resilience in Agriculture through Molecular Biotechnology,” a project aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s agricultural system against the impacts of climate change through science, innovation, and local knowledge.
The initiative is funded by the Mastercard Foundation and the University of Cambridge Climate Resilience and Sustainability Research Fund, with a focus on developing sustainable agricultural practices, improving crop resilience, and strengthening collaboration between scientists and farmers.
Speaking at the event, participants emphasized that indigenous crops such as local varieties of cassava, yam, millet, sorghum, and traditional vegetables are naturally more adaptable to Nigeria’s climate conditions and more resilient to drought, pests, and changing rainfall patterns than many imported crop varieties. They stressed that promoting these crops could play a major role in ensuring food security and protecting farmers’ livelihoods in the face of climate uncertainty.
The stakeholders noted that for many years, agricultural development policies have focused heavily on high-yield commercial crops, often overlooking indigenous crops that are better suited to local environments. According to them, climate change is now forcing a rethink of agricultural priorities, with more attention needed on crops that can survive extreme weather conditions and still provide nutritional value and income for farmers.
Another major issue discussed at the summit was the gap between research institutions and farmers. Participants said many research breakthroughs never reach the farmers who need them most because of poor communication, weak extension services, and lack of farmer involvement in research planning. They stressed that farmers must be treated as partners rather than just beneficiaries in agricultural research and policy development.
The Farmer–Scientist Engagement Programme was designed to bridge this gap by creating a platform where farmers and scientists could exchange ideas directly. Farmers shared their experiences with changing weather patterns, declining soil fertility, and pest infestations, while scientists presented new research on climate-resilient crops, biotechnology, and soil management practices.
Policymakers at the summit acknowledged that climate change is already affecting food production in Nigeria through irregular rainfall, flooding, prolonged droughts, and the spread of crop diseases. They agreed that building climate resilience in agriculture must involve a combination of modern biotechnology, indigenous knowledge, improved seeds, better irrigation systems, and stronger support for smallholder farmers.
Participants also called on the government to invest more in agricultural research institutions, strengthen extension services, support seed systems for indigenous crops, and create policies that encourage climate-smart agriculture.
They emphasized that without deliberate action, climate change could worsen food insecurity and poverty, particularly in rural communities that depend heavily on farming.
At the end of the summit, stakeholders agreed on the need for continuous collaboration among universities, research institutions, farmers, government agencies, and development partners to ensure that Nigeria’s agricultural sector becomes more resilient, productive, and sustainable.
They noted that Nigeria has the human resources, research capacity, and agricultural diversity needed to adapt to climate change, but stressed that success will depend on how well the country integrates science, policy, and local farming knowledge.
The event concluded with a renewed commitment from researchers and stakeholders to continue working with farmers directly, promote indigenous crops, and develop practical, science-based solutions that can help Nigeria secure its food systems in the face of a changing climate.
