By Abdullahi Lukman
Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, and the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) have called for increased research, investment and commercial development of underutilized legumes to strengthen food security, improve agricultural sustainability and build resilience against climate change.
The call was made at a two-day International Conference and Annual General Meeting of the Society for Underutilized Legumes (SUL), organised in collaboration with the National Agricultural Extension and Research Liaison Services (NAERLS), ABU, and the Genetic Resources Centre of IITA.
The conference, themed “Promoting Underutilized Legumes for Sustainable Agriculture and Food Security: Advances in Biotechnology, Value Chain Development and Climate-Smart Practices,” was held at the NAERLS Ultra-Modern Conference Hall, ABU, Zaria, on Wednesday.
Declaring the event open, ABU Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Adamu Ahmed, represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Academic, Prof. Raymond B. Bako, described the gathering as an important platform for bringing researchers, policymakers, professional associations and industry stakeholders together to address emerging agricultural challenges.
He noted that climate change, soil degradation, population growth and rising food and agricultural input costs had increased the need for diversified, nutritious and climate-resilient food systems.
According to him, underutilized legumes offer considerable opportunities for farmers and agribusinesses, particularly in improving agricultural productivity, nutrition and economic sustainability.
The Vice-Chancellor stressed that universities and research institutions must strengthen interdisciplinary partnerships to ensure that scientific innovations address farmers’ needs, market demands and national agricultural priorities.
He urged participants to identify key research areas, explore advances in biotechnology and plant breeding, improve access to quality seeds and promote climate-smart production methods.
He also called for the development of commercially viable value chains that would encourage greater production, processing and utilisation of underutilized legumes.
Ahmed expressed optimism that the conference would generate practical recommendations, establish new partnerships and produce an action plan for advancing the sector beyond the meeting.
Delivering the keynote address, Dr. Juliana Cheboi, a Senior Lecturer and Plant Breeding and Biotechnology Researcher at the University of Nairobi, Kenya, said underutilized legumes represented important opportunities for connecting genetic diversity, traditional farming knowledge, nutrition, entrepreneurship and climate resilience.
She emphasised the need for researchers to work closely with farming communities when identifying priority legume species and varieties, taking into consideration local environmental conditions, traditional uses, market demand and indigenous knowledge.
Earlier, the Chairman of the Local Organising Committee, Prof. Mohammed Sagir, appreciated the university management for hosting the conference and commended participants for their contributions.
He expressed hope that the gathering would promote meaningful academic discussions, knowledge exchange, networking and collaboration among stakeholders in agricultural research and development.
The occasion was chaired by Alhaji Ibrahim H. Bamalli, Madakin Gonan Zazzau.
