Umuagwo: Prof. Christopher Eze, Vice Chancellor of the University of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences (UAES), Umuagwo, Imo, has advocated the adoption of agroecology to boost food production and ensure national food security. Eze made the call at a one-day sensitisation workshop on the MSc Agroecology and Food System programme at the institution's campus in Umuagwo near Owerri.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the Vice Chancellor emphasized that embracing smart agriculture and modern farming techniques would enhance crop yields and improve Nigeria's agricultural sector. He highlighted challenges faced by Nigeria and West Africa's horticulture and forests, such as low soil fertility, nutrient deficiencies, weed pressure, irrigation issues, and pest and disease infestations.
Eze outlined how agroecology practices could help overcome these challenges by optimizing nutrients and carbon balance, improving soil fertility, and enhancing water holding capacity. He advocated for a comprehensive resetting of the farming system, incorporating animal manure management and mulch forage legumes to address issues like soil erosion and climate change.
The Vice Chancellor further noted that an MSc in Agroecology would not only improve the quality of food and lives but also equip agricultural stakeholders with essential knowledge and skills. He commended the support of Imo Governor Sen. Hope Uzodimma, noting that the university, established in 2020, had gained international collaborations, resulting in two EU-funded projects: the Digital Solution to Agriculture (DIGISOL) and the Agrecofarm project.
The News Agency of Nigeria also reported that Prof. Emmanuel Onweremadu delivered a keynote paper at the event, linking land, population, poverty, and environmental degradation to food insecurity and biodiversity decline. He called for a reversal of the alarming degradation of tropical soils for improved food production.
Prof. Rose Nwabueze provided an overview of the MSc Agroecology and Food Systems programme, developed under the Agrecofarm project and co-funded by the Erasmus+ Programme of the European Union Commission. She emphasized the project's aim to engage in applied research in agroecology techniques and create environmentally friendly farming systems in West Africa.
Furthermore, NAN reported on a paper by Prof. Anthony Onyekuru, highlighting career paths in agroecology. The International Coordinator of the programme, Prof. Pietro Picuno, expressed optimism about the programme's potential to improve agricultural techniques in Nigeria and West Africa.
In an interview, Dr. Vitus Enwerem, the Coordinator of the programme at the institution, emphasized the programme's goal of boosting sustainable food security efforts. He encouraged student enrollment, noting the prospects for self-employment and the benefits for rural farmers and farmer associations.