Agroecology Can Boost National Food Security, Says UAES Vice Chancellor
By Our Correspondent
Prof. Christopher Eze, Vice Chancellor of the University of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences (UAES), Umuagwo, Imo State, has called for the adoption of agroecology as a strategy to enhance food production and ensure national food security.
Eze made this call during a one-day sensitization workshop on the MSc Agroecology and Food Systems programme, held on the university campus in Umuagwo, near Owerri, on Friday.
In his welcome address, Prof. Eze emphasized the importance of embracing smart agriculture and modern farming techniques to significantly improve crop yields and revitalize Nigeria’s agricultural sector.
He said that Nigeria and the broader West African region face multiple agricultural challenges, including poor soil fertility, nutrient deficiencies, weed pressure, inefficient irrigation systems, salinization, and widespread pest and disease outbreaks.
“Agroecological practices can address these issues by optimizing nutrient cycling and carbon balance, thereby enhancing soil fertility, aggregate stability, water retention capacity, organic matter availability, and pH regulation all without causing harm to the soil,” he stated.
He stressed the need for a comprehensive transformation of the country’s farming systems.
“This includes integrating animal manure management and forage legumes for mulching, which can enhance crop yields and mitigate critical issues such as soil erosion, climate change, and biodiversity loss,” Eze added.
The Vice Chancellor further noted that the MSc Agroecology programme is designed not only to improve food quality and living standards but also to equip agricultural stakeholders with the skills and competencies necessary for implementing agroecological approaches and advanced agricultural technologies.
Eze also praised the Visitor to the University and Governor of Imo State, Senator Hope Uzodimma, for his visionary leadership, foresight, and unwavering support for the institution since its inception.
He highlighted that UAES, established in 2020, has already secured international collaborations, including two European Union-funded projects the Digital Solutions to Agriculture (DIGISOL) and the Agrecofarm project.
In his presentation, Onweremadu, a professor of Soil Science and Technology, emphasized the interconnection between land degradation, population growth, poverty, and food insecurity. He expressed concern about the alarming rates of physical, chemical, and biological degradation affecting tropical soils in Nigeria and called for urgent remedial actions to restore soil health and ensure quality food production.
Speaking on the topic “Overview of the MSc Agroecology and Food Systems Programme,” Prof. Rose Nwabueze noted that the programme was developed under the Agrecofarm initiative, co-funded by the Erasmus+ Programme of the European Union Commission.
According to Nwabueze, the project is focused on building capacity in higher education institutions across three West African countries Ghana, Sierra Leone, and Nigeria.
“The core aim is to conduct applied research in agroecological techniques that support sustainable agricultural production, transform current farming systems, and promote environmentally responsible practices that benefit both people and the planet,” she explained.
Another presentation, “Career Path in Agroecology: A Roadmap to Sustainable Agriculture and Food Security,” was delivered by Prof. Anthony Onyekuru of UAES.
Joining the workshop virtually, the International Coordinator of the programme, Prof. Pietro Picuno, expressed confidence in the initiative’s potential to sustain agricultural development and enhance farming techniques in Nigeria and West Africa.
In an interview, Dr. Vitus Enwerem, the Programme Coordinator at UAES and Associate Dean of the Postgraduate School, described the MSc Agroecology programme as a critical tool to support government efforts toward achieving sustainable food security.
“The programme promotes sustainable agronomic practices not only for students but also for rural farmers and farmer cooperatives, helping them improve yields and protect the environment,” Enwerem said.
“With rapid population growth, there is an urgent need to safeguard our soil health or risk irreversible environmental degradation. We encourage students to enroll in the programme, which offers numerous prospects, including self-employment opportunities upon graduation,” he added.
