Farmers Will Smile Again, Says Taraba VC Amid Insecurity Concerns

Amid ongoing insecurity in Nigeria, the Vice-Chancellor of Taraba State University, Professor Sunday Bako, has encouraged farmers to return to their farmlands, assuring them that current challenges are temporary and will soon pass.

Speaking at the 2025 In-House Research Review of the Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria (CRIN) in Ibadan, Oyo State, Bako said Nigerian farmers should be hopeful, as the Federal Government is implementing policies aimed at revitalising agriculture, improving livelihoods, and securing food supply.

“There is hope,” he said. “Farmers will smile again.”

Earlier, the Executive Director of CRIN, Dr. Patrick Adebola, explained that the annual research review provides an opportunity for researchers to engage with farmers to guide agricultural innovation. He stressed that research institutes must align their efforts with the realities farmers face, adding that underfunding continues to be a major setback for agricultural research.

Adebola called for greater focus on plantation agriculture, particularly economic crops like cocoa, kola, cashew, coffee, and tea, which he said have the potential to diversify the economy and uplift rural communities.

In a keynote speech, Adeola Adegoke, President of the Cocoa Farmers Association of Nigeria and Global President of the Cocoa Farmers Alliance of Africa, said the strategic expansion of cocoa production could significantly contribute to Nigeria’s GDP and climate goals. He applauded the government’s approval of the National Cocoa Management Board, designed to regulate and sustainably grow the cocoa industry without engaging in direct trading.

Adegoke urged stakeholders to view agriculture not just as a source of food but as a catalyst for green economic growth, environmental restoration, and global leadership in sustainable farming.