The University of Plymouth in the UK and the National Water Resources Institute (NWRI) in Kaduna have announced a new partnership to advance research on Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA) in Nigeria and Ghana.
The announcement was made at the Soil Health for Productivity and Climate Resilience Workshop in Abuja on Thursday, December 12, 2024.
Prof. William Blake, the Director of the Sustainable Earth Institute at the University of Plymouth, stressed the importance of international collaboration toward tackling global challenges such as food security and climate change.
He said: “This partnership underscores the growing importance of cross-border cooperation to address critical issues like sustainable land management and water resources.
“By focusing on Climate-Smart Agriculture, we aim to boost agricultural productivity, while adapting to and mitigating the effects of climate change.”
According to him, the workshop focuses on strategies to improve soil health and adopt sustainable water management practices to boost agricultural productivity and enhance climate resilience.
Blake also stressed the importance of research that supports CSA at both small and large scales, from farm to river basin, ensuring sustainability across different levels.
He added that “this collaboration is particularly important for West Africa, where shared climate challenges demand locally-adaptable solutions.
“Our goal is to develop solutions that address food security while also building resilience to climate change.”
Prof. Kevin Jones, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Research and Innovation at the Plymouth University, emphasised the institution’s long-standing commitment to addressing global challenges through practical research.
Jones noted the university’s focus on environmental sustainability, particularly in relation to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and its ongoing work in marine and maritime sectors.
He also emphasised the importance of scientific and technological advances in ensuring sustainable agriculture for the future.
This, he said, include focusing on soil health, ensuring productive crops and knowledge sharing to tackle environmental issues globally.
Jones also identified Nigeria as key partner in these efforts, pointing out the potential for UK-Nigeria collaboration to produce innovative solutions with global applications.
He said: “Global partnerships are crucial for the future. The challenges we face today are global in nature, and we need to bring together the best expertise from around the world to ensure the planet’s future is in good hands.”
Dr Omogbemi Yaya, the Director of the Regional Centre for Integrated River Basin Management at NWRI, explained that the partnership is supported by the UNESCO-affiliated Regional Centre for Integrated Rural Business Management.
He said the collaboration would focus on shared priorities, including rural business management, capacity building and sustainable development, with emphasis on research and teaching.
He added that “this strategic partnership between NWRI and the University of Plymouth will leverage the strength of both institutions in water resources and academic research.
“Our goal is to collaborate on research that addresses key challenges faced by rural communities.
“The partnership reflects the institute’s commitment to global collaborations and supports the university’s mission to influence sustainable development.”
The workshop brought together researchers, policymakers and practitioners to discuss strategies toward tackling food security and climate resilience in West Africa.
The partnership is funded with £30,000 under the Innovate UK Scoping Project for Climate-Smart Agriculture Partnerships: UK-Brazil-Africa.
The National Water Resources Institute, a parastatal of the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation, was established in 1979.
It is tasked with training and retraining water engineers, technologists and technicians in the water resources sector.
By Tosin Kolade
