The University of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences (UAES), Umuagwo, Imo State, has unveiled EU-funded climate-smart laboratory tools worth millions of naira to advance food security and agricultural research in Nigeria.
Vice-Chancellor Prof. Christopher Eze officially launched the equipment during a one-day “Agro-ecology Info Day” workshop on Friday at the Umuagwo campus near Owerri.
The high-tech laboratory includes drones, soil-testing equipment, compound and dissecting microscopes, spectrometer, blood analyzer, GPS, soil auger, chlorophyll meter, Munsell colour chart, and an 86-inch UHD 4K smart board, among others.
“Today represents a strong intersection of knowledge, partnership, and innovation,” Eze said.
He noted that the ERASMUS+ European Union investment has positioned UAES as a vital regional innovation hub.
“The laboratory will support our new MSc programme in Agro-ecology, providing hands-on training and transferring critical scientific knowledge to local farming communities,” he said.
Beyond hardware, Eze announced the introduction of a digital marketing app designed to eliminate middlemen, protect farmers from inflation, and connect them directly to global consumers.
He emphasized the need to shift from mere “food sufficiency” to “food sovereignty,” ensuring Nigeria controls its agricultural production and seed systems.
“To sustain this growth, the Federal Government should provide subsidies and mandate the Bank of Agriculture to offer loans at interest rates below 10 per cent without rigid collateral. Our focus should be how we can attain food sovereignty,” he said.
Eze further stressed that national security must be guaranteed “so farmers can safely use these new technologies to feed Nigeria.”
He urged the National Assembly to prioritize “right to food” legislation as a national security measure to protect citizens and farmers during economic crises.
According to him, achieving food sufficiency requires policies that include subsidies for food production.
He commended ERASMUS+ EU for its strategic investment in the university and Nigeria’s agricultural future.
In an interview, Dr Ayo Enwerem, Coordinator of UAES’s AGRICO Farm project and MSc Agro-ecology programme, said the workshop showcased the ERASMUS+ EU project’s efforts to promote research and food security among rural farmers.
“Our aim is to increase farmers’ capacity in agro-ecology and smart agricultural practices to boost food production and help them cope with climate change impacts,” he said.
He expressed confidence that the workshop would improve farmers’ yields and expose MSc Agro-ecology students to modern equipment.
The event brought together farmer groups, students, lecturers, and other stakeholders, featuring paper presentations including:
- “Reclamation and Maintenance of Soil Fertility in a Continuous Cropping System” by Dr Adaobi Onyechere
- “Impact of Women in Agriculture on Food Security” by Dr Alice Amanze
- “Climate-Smart Agricultural Practices to Mitigate Effects of Climate Change on Farm Operations” by Dr Leonard Amulu
