AMREC trains tomato farmers on good agricultural practices
The Agricultural Media Resources and Extension Centre (AMREC) of the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), Ogun State, has conducted a capacity-building workshop for tomato farmers, equipping them with practical knowledge on Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs) to enhance productivity, crop quality, and sustainability.
The training—executed in collaboration with the Institution Based Research (IBR) TETFund Grant Project—focused on the theme “Result Dissemination and Post-Training on Good Agricultural Practices for Tomato Farmers.” The initiative aimed at bridging the knowledge gap, especially around soil health, pest control, and responsible fertiliser use.
In his opening remarks, FUNAAB Vice-Chancellor Prof. Babatunde Kehinde (represented by Deputy Vice-Chancellor Prof. Kola Adebayo) affirmed the university’s continued commitment to supporting smallholder farmers through science-driven agricultural innovation.
The Director of AMREC, Prof. Jacob Olaoye, emphasised the importance of sustained dialogue between researchers and farmers to ensure that scientific breakthroughs translate into better farm outcomes. Similarly, Prof. Mutiu Busari of the Directorate of Research, Innovations, and Partnerships (DRIP) encouraged the adoption of digital technologies, including mobile apps that help assess soil fertility and guide fertiliser application decisions.
Several expert facilitators, including Dr. Olatunbosun Soetan, Dr. James Fadeyi, and Dr. Olanrewaju Oni, presented practical insights during the training. Dr. Soetan revealed widespread knowledge gaps among tomato farmers concerning GAPs, calling for broader outreach efforts. Dr. Fadeyi introduced Integrated Pest Management (IPM) techniques to reduce crop losses, while Dr. Oni offered cross-crop insights on the use of biostimulants and fertiliser application from research on okra, highlighting parallels relevant to tomato farming.
The session drew enthusiastic participation from local tomato farmers and AMREC staff, including Deputy Director Prof. Olalekan Oyekunle, with attendees expressing eagerness to apply the newfound knowledge in their farming operations.
Source: Guardian
Expert Review for Agri-Food Stakeholders
The FUNAAB-AMREC tomato farmer training underscores the pivotal role of research institutions in bridging knowledge gaps in Nigeria’s agri-food systems. This initiative offers multi-dimensional value across stakeholder groups.
- For Farmers: Adopt GAPs and IPM for Resilience and Profitability
This training equips tomato farmers with actionable tools to improve soil health, pest control, and fertiliser use—three key determinants of yield and profitability. Integrated Pest Management (IPM) strategies, in particular, offer low-cost, eco-friendly solutions that reduce over-reliance on chemical pesticides. - For Research Institutions: Replicate Farmer-Centric Knowledge Transfer
FUNAAB’s approach of translating research into field-ready advice can be scaled to other commodities and agro-ecological zones. Frequent, localized trainings tied to real-time farming seasons can significantly raise productivity across Nigeria’s farming communities. - For AgriTech Innovators: Develop Farmer-Friendly Mobile Solutions
The call for mobile applications to assess soil health presents a viable innovation frontier. Developers should consider creating local language-based, offline-accessible tools that guide fertiliser decisions and integrate pest diagnosis—especially tailored to crops like tomato. - For Policymakers: Invest in Agricultural Extension-Research Linkages
This project highlights the role of education-backed extension in modernising agriculture. To achieve national food security targets, government policies must institutionalise and fund such university-community partnerships, ensuring wider rural reach. - For Agribusiness Investors: Emerging Market for GAP-Compliant Tomato Production
As tomato becomes increasingly commercialised, particularly for processors and urban markets, there’s demand for consistent, high-quality supply. Farmers adopting GAPs are well-positioned to benefit from premium off-take arrangements, presenting opportunities for agribusinesses to develop outgrower schemes and value chain financing.
Conclusion: From Classroom to Farmland — Building a Skilled Agrarian Workforce
This AMREC-led initiative sets a powerful example of academia meaningfully engaging with grassroots agriculture. If scaled and sustained, such efforts can accelerate Nigeria’s transition from low-yield subsistence farming to a commercially competitive, environmentally sustainable tomato value chain.
