By Ogbalu Tochukwu
The Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC), Ogun State Coordinating office, joined researchers, policymakers, and agricultural experts at the 9th In-House Research Review Meeting organised by the Institute of Food Security, Environmental Resources and Agricultural Research (IFSERAR) at the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB) held recently to advocate for indigenous knowledge in food security.
The event, themed “Sustainable Food Systems: The Indigenous Knowledge and Science Nexus,” called for the fusion of traditional wisdom and modern science to tackle global food challenges.
The former Director of FUNAAB Zoo Park, Prof. Omotola Jaiyeola, in his keynote address, underscored the untapped potential of indigenous knowledge in boosting food security. He described it as “a treasure of orally transmitted wisdom, rooted in centuries of human-nature harmony,” critical for sustainability in rural communities. “While modern science drives innovation, the erosion of indigenous practices due to poor documentation and misinformation threatens our ecological and cultural heritage,” he warned.
Prof. Jaiyeola cited the global shift toward plant-based therapies but stressed the need for structured preservation to combat quackery.
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Prof. Sam Oluwalana, the lead speaker, reinforced this view, calling on universities and researchers to value indigenous knowledge as a shared global resource influenced by nature, climate, and cultural traditions. He said, ‘The wisdom of our forefathers, from reading weather signs to nurturing fertile soil, still offers solutions to modern food challenges.
IFSERAR Director, Prof. Olusegun Idowu, reiterated the institute’s commitment to mainstreaming Indigenous Knowledge Systems (IKS) into research. “From climate-smart crops to AI in agriculture, we must blend tradition with technology,” he stated, thanking stakeholders for their support.
Representing the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Babatunde Kehinde, former DVC (Academic) Prof. Oluyemisi Eromosele, applauded IFSERAR’s alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). She highlighted FUNAAB’s pioneering work in climate-resilient crops and AI-driven farming, urging researchers to scale local solutions for global impact.
The Ogun RMRDC team, led by Mr Bashir Rabiu, actively engaged in panel discussions, emphasising the council’s role in promoting indigenous raw material utilisation for industrial and agricultural growth.
Forging ahead with impact, IFSERAR announced plans to launch a digital repository for indigenous knowledge documentation, partnering with RMRDC and local communities.
