The Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria (ARCN) has called for stronger international partnerships to accelerate agricultural development through knowledge exchange, modern technology, research collaboration and human-capacity development.
The Executive Secretary of ARCN, Adamu Abubakar Dabban, made the call at the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and the launch of the Thailand International Cooperation Agency (TICA) initiative in Lagos.
Dabban said closer collaboration between Nigerian and Thai agricultural institutions would provide opportunities for researchers, farmers and other stakeholders to benefit from innovative approaches and practical solutions to challenges confronting food production and agricultural development.
He reaffirmed ARCN’s commitment to partnerships that promote agricultural research, innovation and technology transfer, noting that such collaborations would contribute to Nigeria’s food security agenda.
Also speaking, the Provost and Chief Executive Officer of the Federal Cooperative College, Oji River, Enugu State, Dr. Jude Ejikeme Obidiegwu, said the partnership was designed to create sustainable impact across host communities and among students, farmers, cooperative societies, private-sector players and innovators.
In his presentation, titled “Insights into the Thai-Nigeria Collaborative Framework,” Obidiegwu highlighted the history of engagement and communication between Nigeria and Thailand that culminated in the current partnership.
He said the collaboration would strengthen cooperation in agricultural research and innovation while promoting technology transfer, capacity building and agricultural entrepreneurship.
The signing ceremony and TICA launch, according to the council, mark a significant milestone in Nigeria-Thailand relations and efforts to build a more productive, resilient and technology-driven agricultural sector.
The initiative is expected to support Nigeria’s broader food security objectives under the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
