Imo Agric University unveils climate-smart tools to bolster research, food security
The University of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences (UAES), Umuagwo in Imo, has unveiled EU-funded climate-smart tools, worth millions of naira, aimed at revolutionising the country’s food security and agricultural research.
The Vice-Chancellor of UAES, Prof. Christopher Eze, unveiled the tools at a one-day “Agro-ecology Info Day” workshop, held, on Friday, at the Umuagwo campus, near Owerri.
Eze said the official launch of the high-tech laboratory featured drones and soil-testing equipment, specifically designed to equip rural farmers and researchers with sustainable, climate-resilient farming techniques.
The tools included compound microscope, dissecting microscope, spectrometer, blood analyser, GPS, soil auger, chlorophyll meter, munsell colour chart, and an 86 inch UHD 4k smart board, among others.
“Today represents a strong intersection of knowledge, partnership, and innovation,” Eze said.
He said that the ERASMUS+ European Union investment had transformed the university into a vital regional innovation hub.
“The laboratory will support our new MSc programme in Agro-ecology, providing the necessary infrastructure for hands-on training and the transfer of critical scientific knowledge to local farming communities,” he said.
Beyond hardware, Eze said the institution had introduced a digital marketing App aimed at “bridging the gap of middlemen and protecting farmers from inflation by connecting them directly to global consumers.”
The vice-chancellor emphasised that the country must move beyond mere “food sufficiency” toward “food sovereignty,” ensuring the nation maintained complete control over its own agricultural production and seed systems.
“To sustain this growth, the Federal Government should provide subsidies and mandate the Bank of Agriculture to offer loans at interest rates below 10 per cent without rigid collateral.
“Our focus should be how we can attain food sovereignty,” he said.
Eze further said that national security must be guaranteed “so that farmers can safely use these new technologies to feed Nigeria.”
He challenged the National Assembly to prioritise a “right to food” legislation as a vital national security measure to protect citizens and farmers during economic crisis.
According to him, if the Federal Government wants food sufficiency, it must go by policies that also include subsidies for food.
He commended ERASMUS+ EU for the strategic investment in the institution and in the future of agriculture.
In an interview, the Coordinator of the institution’s AGRICO Farm project, MSc. Programme, Dr Ayo Enwerem, said the workshop was aimed at showcasing ERASMUS+ EU project’s efforts in promoting research and food security among rural farmers.
“Our aim is to increase the capacity of farmers on agro-ecology and smart agricultural practices geared toward increased and improved food production as well as help them cope with climate change impact,” he said.
He expressed confidence that the workshop would increase farmers’ yield as well as expose the MSc. students of Agro-ecology to the use of the modern equipment.
Supreme news reports that the workshop brought together various farmer-groups, students, lecturers and other critical stakeholders.
Supreme news further reports that the workshop also featured various paper presentations, including “Reclamation and maintenance of soil fertility in a continuous cropping system,” presented by Dr Adaobi Onyechere.
Another lecturer, Dr Alice Amanze, also presented a paper, entitled, “Impact of Women in Agriculture on Food Security,” while Dr Leonard Amulu spoke on “Climate Smart Agricultural Practices to mitigate effects of climate change on farm operations.”
