FUNAAB Hosts Maiden International Conference on Climate-Smart Agriculture, Champions Innovations for the Global South

The Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB) convened the first-ever International Conference on Climate-Smart Agriculture (ICCSA 2025) on December 10, 2025, bringing together global researchers, policymakers, development partners, and practitioners to advance resilient and productive agricultural systems amid climate change challenges.

Vice-Chancellor Prof. Babatunde Kehinde, represented by Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Development), Prof. Olawale Dairo, described the conference as a mission-driven platform addressing threats to food security and livelihoods, aligned with the theme, “Advancing Climate-Smart Innovations for Resilient and Productive Agriculture in the Third World.” He praised the Institute of Food Security, Environmental Resources and Agricultural Research (IFSERAR) for initiating the conference and emphasized CSA as a pathway to boosting productivity, resilience, and emissions reduction.

Keynote speaker Prof. Ademola Braimoh, in his lecture “Building a Resilient Agricultural Future,” highlighted the importance of equipping farmers with practical tools and innovations to sustain food systems under climate stress.

Mrs. Mutiat Solademi, delivering a goodwill message for the Director-General of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), called for stronger policies, increased research investment, and farmer empowerment with climate information and adaptive tools. Dr. Oluwatoyin Adeyanju, Executive Director of the Environmental and Economic Resource Centre (EERC), outlined interventions supporting over 7,000 farmers through improved seed systems, organic fertilisers, biogas technologies, and digital climate tools.

Prof. John Oyedepo, Chairman of the Local Organising Committee, positioned ICCSA 2025 as a defining moment for Africa’s agricultural future, highlighting technical sessions on regenerative agriculture, precision irrigation, climate finance, digital agriculture, early warning systems, and clean energy innovations. He revealed that ICCSA is intended as a biennial event rotating across Africa and other developing regions.

Prof. Kazeem Bello, Director of IFSERAR, represented by Prof. Tolulope Oyekale, showcased flagship initiatives including livestock improvement, urban agriculture, early warning systems, climate-smart crop varieties (such as FUNAABOR 1 rice), aquaculture, biotechnology, remote sensing, drone monitoring, and value-chain optimisation, urging agritech firms, investors, and policymakers to partner in scaling innovations.

ICCSA 2025 emphasized collaboration, innovation, and investment as critical to safeguarding agricultural productivity under climate pressure, fostering actionable frameworks, cross-border partnerships, and networks linking researchers, extension systems, and farming communities. Technical sessions and exhibitions are ongoing.