The Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria (ARCN) has reaffirmed its commitment to promoting technological advancement and innovation as key enablers of agricultural transformation and food sovereignty in the country.
This reaffirmation came during the 47th National Council on Agriculture and Food Security (NCAFS), held in Kaduna, where the Council joined other key stakeholders in deliberating on strategies to achieve sustainable food security under the theme, “Food Sovereignty and Food Security in an Era of Renewed Hope.”
Speaking during the Technical Session, the Executive Secretary of ARCN, Dr. Abubakar Adamu Dabban, represented by Dr. Nuhu Yusuf, Director of Knowledge Management and Communication, presented two strategic memoranda the Establishment of a National Farm Knowledge and Innovation Support Centre (NFKISC) and an Information Memorandum on 29 new crop varieties released in 2025.
Dr. Yusuf explained that the NFKISC, when established across the country, would serve as a structured community-based platform for disseminating agricultural innovations and bridging existing knowledge gaps between researchers and farmers.
“This initiative is designed to strengthen the agricultural innovation ecosystem, ensure timely delivery of research outputs to farmers, and build a resilient food system aligned with the Renewed Hope Agenda of the present administration,” he stated.
He further highlighted ARCN’s unwavering dedication to enhancing agricultural research, improving extension services, empowering farmers, and supporting the Federal Government’s food security objectives under the guidance of the Honourable Ministers of Agriculture and Food Security.
The 47th NCAFS also witnessed the unveiling of several reform and financing initiatives aimed at fast-tracking Nigeria’s agricultural transformation, including the capitalization of the Bank of Agriculture (BOA) with ₦1.5 trillion and a ₦250 billion credit window for smallholder farmers.
