Ibadan, Nigeria – June 16, 2025 — Amid growing concerns over nationwide insecurity, the Vice-Chancellor of Taraba State University, Professor Sunday Bako, has called on Nigerian farmers not to abandon their farms. He assured them that the situation is temporary and that government efforts will soon yield results to restore safety and prosperity in the agricultural sector.

Speaking on Wednesday at the 2025 In-House Research Review of the Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria (CRIN) in Idi-Ayunre, Ibadan, Oyo State, Bako encouraged farmers to take advantage of the rainy season to resume cultivation. He emphasized that the agricultural sector remains vital to Nigeria’s food security and economic development.

“This is a passing phase. Nigerian farmers will smile again,” Bako said, expressing optimism about current federal policies aimed at supporting farmers. “There is hope, and the farmers will smile again.”

He highlighted the government’s renewed focus on increasing agricultural production, improving farmers’ livelihoods, and ensuring national food sufficiency.

Earlier, CRIN Executive Director Dr. Patrick Adebola explained that the annual in-house review provides a platform to engage directly with farmers and align research activities with the real needs on the ground. He emphasized the importance of collaboration between researchers and farmers in shaping effective agricultural strategies.

“You cannot do research in isolation. You have to involve farmers so they can tell you where the shoe pinches most. That way, we can tailor our research to solve real problems,” Adebola said.

However, he lamented the persistent issue of underfunding in research institutes, which he described as a major constraint to agricultural development in Nigeria. He also pointed out the challenges in sourcing adequate seedlings, especially for key economic crops.

“These are economic crops that can transform the Nigerian economy. Everyone is moving away from oil — it’s time to return to the land,” he added.

Delivering a keynote address, the National President of the Cocoa Farmers Association of Nigeria and Global President of the Cocoa Farmers Alliance of Africa, Adeola Adegoke, stressed the growing importance of cocoa, kola, cashew, coffee, and tea as tools for economic and environmental transformation.

He noted that these perennial crops contribute significantly to rural livelihoods, GDP, and foreign exchange, while also promoting biodiversity and climate resilience.

“These crops regenerate soils, enhance biodiversity, and sequester carbon over the long term. They are central to our strategy for sustainable growth,” Adegoke said.

He applauded the Federal Executive Council’s approval of the National Cocoa Management Board, describing it as a strategic step towards scaling Nigeria’s cocoa production from 300,000 to 500,000 metric tonnes within two years. According to Adegoke, the board will focus on regulating and promoting sustainable practices, without interfering in cocoa buying and selling.

Adegoke concluded by urging Nigerians to embrace the transformation of agriculture into a vehicle for green growth, social equity, and global relevance.