ARCN Backs MOUAU’s Mechanized Farming Drive to Boost Food Security in Southeast

The Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria has pledged institutional support for the mechanization agenda of Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, reinforcing efforts to scale food production and strengthen food security across Nigeria’s Southeast.

The commitment was given by Adamu Abubakar Dabban, Executive Secretary of ARCN, during a courtesy visit to the Vice-Chancellor of MOUAU, Ursula Ngozi Akanwa, on April 1, 2026. He was accompanied by Chidozie Egesi, Executive Director of the National Root Crops Research Institute.

Dabban stated that ARCN’s intervention would focus on advancing mechanized farming systems within the university, positioning the institution as a hub for modern agricultural practices. He emphasized that increased mechanization would enhance operational efficiency, reduce manual labour constraints, and accelerate productivity for both students and farm operators.

According to him, the initiative aligns with broader national priorities to drive agricultural transformation, noting that modern equipment and systems would not only increase yield but also improve the sector’s attractiveness to younger demographics.

Responding, Akanwa welcomed the partnership and affirmed the university’s readiness to collaborate with ARCN in deepening research capacity, upgrading training frameworks, and deploying contemporary farming technologies to optimize output.

The development signals a strategic push toward integrating research institutions with academic ecosystems to deliver scalable agricultural solutions, with mechanization positioned as a critical lever for regional food security.