By Bavoriat Clara
The Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria (ARCN) has called for stronger collaboration with the Armed Forces of Nigeria to enhance the country’s food systems and promote agricultural innovation as part of efforts to strengthen national security.
The Executive Secretary of ARCN, Dr. Abubakar Adamu Dabban, made the call during a courtesy visit to the Chief of Defence Staff at the Defence Headquarters, Abuja, on Tuesday, September 30, 2025.
Dr. Dabban emphasized that food security remains the foundation of national stability, commending the Armed Forces for their continued efforts in providing security for farmers and supporting agricultural initiatives across the country.
He said: “A nation that cannot feed itself cannot fully secure itself. Our farmers, who are the backbone of food production, face enormous challenges, particularly threats to their safety. Your presence and interventions have provided relief and confidence to farmers and institutions working to sustain food production. For this, we express our profound appreciation to the military for its service to the nation.”
Highlighting the Council’s mandate of coordinating research across 16 National Agricultural Research Institutes and 18 Federal Colleges of Agriculture, Dr. Dabban outlined several areas of possible collaboration with the Defence Headquarters. These include:
Food and agricultural defence, through joint research in the detection, diagnosis, and containment of critical plant and animal diseases, as well as risk modelling and surveillance.
Technology and dual-use research, involving the adaptation of unmanned systems and satellite imagery for precision agriculture.
Engineering and manufacturing support, to promote local development of agricultural machinery.
Human capital development, through training, skills transfer, veteran farming programmes, and agricultural outreach initiatives.
He stressed that such collaboration would enhance farmer confidence, ensure uninterrupted food production, and strengthen the nation’s overall stability.
Responding on behalf of the Chief of Defence Staff, Major General I.M. Abdullahi, Chairman of Defence Farms, commended Dr. Dabban and the ARCN delegation, assuring them of the military’s unwavering commitment to food security.
General Abdullahi recalled that the Armed Forces had long been involved in agriculture, noting that the Nigerian Army established ranches as far back as 2017, while the Defence Headquarters launched the Defence Food and Livestock Project in 2024.
He disclosed that the military has also partnered with the Ministry of Water Resources in cultivating over 1,000 hectares of farmland to support food sustainability, even as it continues to explore further collaboration with ARCN’s research institutions.
The senior officer noted that food supply chain disruptions remain a major national concern and emphasized the military’s dual role in agricultural production and the protection of farming communities. He further referenced peacebuilding efforts such as the Gurara pilot project, which promotes coexistence between host communities and herders.
He said: “The Armed Forces of Nigeria take food security seriously. Beyond providing protection for farmers, we are directly investing in agricultural projects to sustain the national grain reserve. We will continue to partner with ARCN to ensure the adoption of improved varieties and technologies that will benefit the Nigerian people.”
The visit, according to both parties, signifies a renewed commitment to leveraging science, research, and military capacity to advance food security and promote national resilience.
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