The NACGRAB Users Engagement Team, under the Crop Trust Project, recently conducted a field monitoring visit to Niger State to assess sorghum and cowpea activities and strengthen collaboration towards the conservation and use of resilient crop varieties.
The field engagement provided an opportunity for the team to interact with relevant stakeholders and gain a better understanding of the performance, management and utilisation of sorghum and cowpea genetic resources in the field.
Strengthening Collaboration for Resilient Crops
Sorghum and cowpea are important crops for Nigeria’s food and agricultural systems. Their ability to perform under challenging production conditions makes the conservation and effective use of their genetic diversity particularly important.
During the monitoring exercise, the team engaged with stakeholders involved in the production and management of these crops. The discussions focused on strengthening collaboration and ensuring that valuable crop genetic resources are properly conserved and made available for future agricultural use.
The visit also provided an opportunity to identify field-level experiences and challenges that can inform future activities under the Crop Trust Project.
Connecting Genebank Resources with Users
The monitoring exercise reflects NACGRAB’s commitment to strengthening the connection between genetic resource conservation and the farmers, researchers and other users who depend on these resources.
Through regular field engagement, the Users Engagement Team can better understand the needs of crop users while promoting greater awareness of the value of conserving and using diverse genetic resources.
The Niger State visit is part of ongoing efforts under the Crop Trust Project to strengthen collaboration and support the conservation and use of crop diversity for more resilient agricultural systems.
NACGRAB remains committed to working with farmers, researchers and other stakeholders to ensure that Nigeria’s valuable sorghum and cowpea genetic resources continue to support agricultural production and food security.
