By Ndahi Marama, Maiduguri

Worried by the increase in the prices of food items in six states of the North East, especially in Borno which is devastated by activities of insurgents, Lake Chad Research Institute (LCRI) has developed and released 21 improved wheat, 6 barley and 11 millet varieties which are tailored to meet the diverse agro-ecological conditions and
challenges associated with food insecurity.

Beside varietal development, the institute has also pioneered and promoted numerous technologies for good agronomic practices, addressing critical aspects of soil fertility, pest and disease
management, water-use efficiency and climate-smart agriculture.

This was disclosed by the Director and Chief Executive Officer of the institute, Professor Babagana Kabir at the occasion of the 2025 LCRI In-House Review Meeting and North East Zonal Refills Workshop which took place in Maiduguri on Monday.

Themed: ‘Advancing Climate-Smart Agriculture Through Innovative Research and Extension: A Panacea to the Implementation of the Renewed Hope Agenda’.

According to Professor Kabir, the 4-Day Workshop is apt and timely, as issues related to climate change and measures tops the agenda of discussion to mitigate its impact using smart extension initiatives which are key to sustainable agricultural production.

His words: “The Lake Chad Research Institute (LCRI), established in 1975, is one of Nigeria’s important
agricultural research institutions under supervision of the Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria (ARCN).

“Our core mandates are genetic improvement of wheat, millet and barley and investigation of the problems of production of all agricultural food crops grown in the broad North East agro-ecological zone with emphasis on farming systems including integration of Livestock, tree crops and agro forestry in to production systems, conduct agricultural extension services in collaboration with state and federal government agencies and other stakeholders; provide technical services to farmers, agro-allied industries and others needing our services.

“In executing our mandates, we key into the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the agricultural and rural development initiatives of His Excellency, the Executive
Governor of Borno State, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum.

“Over the years, we have remained steadfast in our commitment to improving food security, enhancing farmers’ productivity, and contributing to national economic development through
sustainable agricultural practices.

“We have successfully developed and released 21 improved wheat varieties, 6 barley varieties, and 11 millet varieties tailored to meet the diverse agro-ecological conditions and challenges.

“These improved varieties have been instrumental in boosting crop yields,
increasing resilience to climate variability, and enhancing the livelihoods of countless farmers”. He said.

Continuing, Professor Kabir said: “Beyond varietal development, we have also pioneered and promoted numerous technologies for good agronomic practices, addressing critical aspects of soil fertility, pest and disease
management, water-use efficiency and climate-smart agriculture among others”.

The Director further stated that the institute under his leadership has created demonstration hubs for technology transfer and practical learning for farmers, youth, and students.

He noted that the In-house Review Meeting is a forum for discussing
the highlights of research activities carried out by the Institute in the preceding seasons and the proposals for the coming seasons, while the REFILS workshop is aimed at reviewing the
highlights of extension activities carried out by the Agricultural Development Programmes (ADPS) in the Zone in collaboration with Research Institutes, Government Agencies, Non-
Governmental Organizations (NGOs) as well as articulating the proposals for the coming farming season.

He therefore implored participants to listen attentively to all the presentations by some keynote speakers who are seasoned scientists of global repute, they include , Prof. Daniel Gwary, a university Don and a Climate Change Researcher per excellence and Prof. Sani
Miko an Extension Agronomist per excellence who would take them through the topic carefully coined to be in line with the global attention to climate change and extension service delivery.

He however said the milestone achieved would not have been possible without the unwavering support of partners, collaborators, staff – past and present – and all those who have stood by the Institute over the decades, even as he expressed gratitude to the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security under the able stewardship of Sen. Abubakar Kyari and Sen, Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi, Hon. Minister and Hon. Minister of state, respectively, as well as the Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria (ARCN) for their tremendous support.

Declaring the Workshop opened, the Borno state Commissioner of Agriculture, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Dr. Ahmed Tijjani commended the organisers for choosing the theme, which he said, could not have come in a better time than now.

He pledged government support to LCRI and all other partners in order to complement efforts of Governor Babagana Zulum in putting food on the table of the citizenry.

Goodwill message were offered by representatives of University of Maiduguri, Borno State University, Mohammed Lawan College of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria among others.

Our Correspondent observed that over 20 farmers’ associations, with researchers and academia in the field of Agriculture attended the ceremony, where exhibition/inspection of improved seeds/crops varieties and food stuff produced locally with millet, wheat, barley and other agricultural products by the staff of the institute were carried out.