By Abbas Nazil
Taraba State has strengthened its position as an emerging destination for climate-resilient agriculture and sustainable investment following a strategic partnership involving the Taraba State Government, Taraba State University (TSU), and the Initiative for Climate Change and Renewable Energy Advocacy (ICCREA), which facilitated engagement with the Global Sustainable Futures Network (GSFN), United Kingdom.
The collaboration, which brought together government officials, researchers, investors, development partners and sustainability experts, focused on unlocking opportunities in tree-based agriculture, including coffee, tea and oil palm production, while promoting climate resilience, biodiversity conservation and rural development.
The engagement was anchored by the Taraba State Government under the leadership of Executive Governor Dr. Agbu Kefas as chief host and policy sponsor, while Taraba State University served as the host institution and academic partner.
ICCREA, through its Founder and Executive Director, Mr. Folorunsho Dayo Oluwafemi, who also serves as Nigeria Coordinator of GSFN, facilitated the international partnership that brought Dr. Renuka Thakore, Founder and Director of GSFN, and Mr. Bharat Thakore to Taraba State for a week-long engagement.
The delegation undertook a strategic field tour across Sardauna and Gashaka Local Government Areas to assess the state’s agricultural and conservation potential before participating in the maiden Sustainable Development and Investment Conference (SDIC) 2026 held in Jalingo.
During the field visit, the team explored the Gashaka-Gumti National Park, one of West Africa’s largest protected conservation areas, where discussions focused on biodiversity protection, research collaboration and stronger partnerships between conservation institutions and global sustainability organisations.
The delegation also visited Maisamari Integrated Farms Nigeria Limited, Mambilla Highland Tea and Beverage Company in Kakara, and research facilities operated by the Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria (CRIN), where stakeholders highlighted the potential of Taraba’s coffee, tea and cocoa sectors.
At the Mambilla Highland Tea and Beverage Company, officials disclosed the scale of the plantation’s operations, including its organic tea production, frequent harvesting cycles and thousands of employment opportunities generated through the estate.
The Sustainable Development and Investment Conference, themed “Climate Resilience and Sustainable Environmental and Community Development through Tree-Based Agriculture Value Chains (Coffee, Tea and Oil Palm),” provided a platform for stakeholders to discuss investment opportunities, climate action, research innovation and sustainable livelihoods.
Vice-Chancellor of Taraba State University, Professor Sunday Paul Bako, described the conference as a major step towards strengthening international collaboration on climate change and agricultural development.
Dr. Renuka Thakore emphasised the need for responsible investment, innovation and global partnerships to expand sustainable agricultural value chains while protecting ecosystems and improving rural livelihoods.
Mr. Oluwafemi highlighted the importance of moving climate discussions beyond policy conversations into practical investment, research partnerships and community-level interventions, noting that tree crops could play a major role in Nigeria’s climate commitments and economic transformation.
Stakeholders at the conference included representatives from government ministries, research institutions, traditional institutions, agricultural organisations and development partners.
The partnership is expected to create new opportunities for research collaboration, climate finance mobilisation, youth and women empowerment, and sustainable agricultural investment across Taraba State.
The initiative marks a significant step in connecting Taraba’s natural resources, academic institutions and farming communities with international sustainability networks, positioning the state as a potential hub for climate-smart agriculture and green economic development in Nigeria.
