By Abbas Nazil
The University of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences in Umuagwo, Imo State, has unveiled a range of European Union-funded climate-smart agricultural tools aimed at enhancing food security and transforming research and farming practices across Nigeria.
The high-tech equipment was launched during a one-day Agro-ecology Info Day workshop held on the university campus near Owerri, bringing together farmers, students, academics and key stakeholders in the agricultural sector.
Vice Chancellor, Prof. Christopher Eze, said the initiative represents a major investment in innovation and sustainable agriculture, positioning the institution as a regional hub for climate-resilient farming solutions.
He explained that the newly established laboratory features advanced tools such as drones for field monitoring, soil-testing equipment, microscopes, spectrometers, GPS devices, chlorophyll meters and smart digital boards to support modern research and training.
According to Eze, the facility will provide hands-on learning for students enrolled in the university’s new MSc programme in Agro-ecology while also transferring practical knowledge to rural farmers.
The project, funded through the ERASMUS+ European Union programme, is designed to promote sustainable food production methods that can help communities adapt to climate change.
Beyond laboratory equipment, the university has also introduced a digital marketing application that links farmers directly with consumers, reducing dependence on middlemen and helping protect producers from inflation and market exploitation.
Eze stressed that Nigeria must move beyond food sufficiency to food sovereignty, ensuring full national control over agricultural production systems and seed resources.
He called on the Federal Government to provide farming subsidies and encourage the Bank of Agriculture to offer low-interest loans below 10 percent without strict collateral requirements.
The vice-chancellor also highlighted the need for improved national security to allow farmers safely deploy new technologies and expand food production.
He urged lawmakers to prioritise right-to-food legislation as a key national security measure to safeguard citizens during economic challenges.
Coordinator of the AGRICO Farm project, Dr Ayo Enwerem, said the workshop aimed to build farmers’ capacity in agro-ecology and climate-smart agricultural practices for higher and more resilient yields.
He expressed confidence that the tools would significantly improve productivity while equipping postgraduate students with modern research skills.
The event featured technical presentations on soil fertility management, the role of women in agriculture and strategies for climate-smart farming to mitigate climate impacts.
Participants said the initiative could play a major role in strengthening Nigeria’s food systems and promoting sustainable agricultural development.
