Imo University Offers Environmental, Agric Solutions to Farmers via Pollinator Project

The University of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences (UAES) in Imo State is spearheading efforts to provide farmers with innovative environmental and agricultural solutions, focusing on biodiversity resilience.

During the launch of the “Agripollinex Project and farmers’ and Extension Workers Needs Assessment,” Vice Chancellor Prof. Christopher Eze highlighted the need to enhance knowledge on pollinator biodiversity, sustainable agriculture, and climate resilience for improved farming experiences. He lauded the Global Center on Biodiversity for Climate for supporting the project, which aims to globalize farming practices in Imo and other states.

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The central focus of this project is the assessment and conservation of pollinator biodiversity for sustainable agriculture and climate resilience. Pollinators are an essential but often overlooked component of our agricultural ecosystem. They facilitate the transfer of pollen grains from the anther, which is the male part of a flower, to the stigma, the female part’. This process enables fertilisation and allows many crops to produce fruits and seeds. In simple terms, without effective pollination, food production can be seriously affected”.

Francis Madu, the project's principal investigator, explained that the core focus is assessing and conserving pollinator biodiversity. Pollinators are vital for agriculture, enabling fertilization and fruit/seed production. Madu noted the alarming decline in pollinator populations globally due to pesticide use, habitat destruction, changing agricultural practices, and climate change. This decline directly impacts crop yields, farmers' incomes, and food security.

The project involves 60 farms across Imo, Ogun, and Nasarawa states. Each state will have 20 farms, further divided into intervention, control, and reference plots. Intervention farms will implement activities to increase pollinator biodiversity, while control and reference farms will be used for comparison and pilot studies. The Needs Assessment Workshop aims to equip farmers with practical interventions to conserve pollinators and boost their populations on their farms.

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Unfortunately, pollinator populations are declining in many parts of Africa and around the world. Several human activities are contributing to this decline. Among them are the indiscriminate use of pesticides and insecticides, destruction of natural habitats, changing agricultural practices, and the increasing effects of climate change”. When pollinator populations decline, the consequences can extend directly to our farms and food systems. Crops that depend on pollination may experience reduced fruit and seed production, ultimately affecting farmers’ incomes and food security”.