In a transformative move to bolster the agricultural sector in Nigeria, professors from the University of Ilorin’s Agriculture Faculty have embarked on an ambitious initiative to equip farmers with essential skills in farm risk management and rural e-commerce.
This commendable effort was showcased during the “Endline Dissemination Workshop for Advancing Local Leadership, Innovation, and Networks,” held on Tuesday at the university’s premises.
The initiative, generously funded by the Feed The Future Innovation LAB for Markets, Risks and Resilience, USAID, and the International Centre for Evaluation and Development, aims to empower Nigerian farmers by integrating technology with financial innovation. Opeyemi Ayinde, a Principal Investigator of the Feed the Future programme, emphasized the importance of resilience, stating, “There is a need for farmers to embrace innovative farming techniques and the use of improved stress-tolerant maize seeds.”
Ayinde, an agricultural economics expert, highlighted that blending these innovations with financial tools such as insurance and credit could significantly diminish the risks faced by Nigerian farmers.
She underscored the inclusive nature of the research, pointing out its focus on women farmers. “The women farmers are not supposed to be neglected,” Ayinde noted. “The result showed that the male and female farmers, when presented with the same opportunity, better the farming community.”
Adding to the discourse, programme researcher Khadijat Amolegba shed light on the digital literacy and market access training provided. She remarked, “They can sell their products in the market far away from them, and they can even access international markets to sell their products.” This capability is expected to boost farmers’ incomes and enhance food security across the region.
Kwadwo Mensah, Director of Research for the International Centre for Evaluation and Development, praised the ALL-IN research projects for redefining traditional research collaboration. “Foreign-based researchers lack the context and also the local understanding of what actually happens on the African continent,” he observed. Mensah stressed the importance of understanding market dynamics, financial risks, and climate challenges to foster resilience among farmers.
Concluding the event, the Vice Chancellor of the University of Ilorin, Wahab Egbewole, represented by Deputy Vice Chancellor Academics Olubunmi Omotesho, reiterated the significance of the study.
“Agriculture is associated with risks, hence the need to mitigate such risks,” Egbewole advised, advocating for insurance and enhanced financial inclusion for farmers.
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