By Waziri Mahdi Isa
The National Agricultural Extension Research and Liaison Services (NAERLS), Ahmadu Bello University, and the Genetic Resources Centre, International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), have organised a two-day International Conference and Annual General Meeting of the Society for Underutilized Legumes (SUL).
The conference, themed “Promoting Underutilized Legumes for Sustainable Agriculture and Food Security: Advances in Biotechnology, Value Chain Development and Climate-Smart Practices,” was held at the NAERLS Ultra-Modern Conference Hall, ABU Zaria, on Wednesday, 21st October, 2026.
The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Adamu Ahmed, who was represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Academic, Prof. Raymond B. Bako, declared the conference open.
Prof. Ahmed said the event reflected the value of bringing research institutions, professional associations, policy makers and industry stakeholders together to address pressing agricultural challenges.
He described the conference theme as timely, noting that it was coming at a time when climate change, soil degradation, population growth and rising food and input costs demanded more diverse, nutritious and resilient food systems.
He emphasized that underutilized legumes offer significant opportunities for farmers and agribusinesses.
“As a leading institution in agricultural education and research, it is the responsibility of Ahmadu Bello University to advance these priorities,” he said.
He added that no single institution could achieve this alone, stressing the need to “strengthen inter-disciplinary and cross-sectoral partnerships that connect scientific discoveries with farmers’ needs, consumer preferences, commercial opportunities and evidence-based policies.”
The Vice-Chancellor urged participants to use the conference to identify research priorities, explore advances in biotechnology and plant breeding, strengthen quality seed systems, promote climate-smart production, and develop commercially viable value chains for underutilized legumes.
He expressed hope that the deliberations would produce practical recommendations, new partnerships and a clear framework for action beyond the conference.
The chairman of the occasion was Alhaji Ibrahim H. Bamalli, Madakin Gonan Zazzau.
The keynote address was delivered by Dr. Juliana Cheboi, Senior Lecturer and Researcher on Plant Breeding and Biotechnology at the Department of Plant Science and Crop Protection, University of Nairobi, Kenya.
Dr. Cheboi said underutilized legumes are not simply crops waiting to be improved, but opportunities to connect genetic diversity, farmer knowledge, nutrition, enterprise and climate resilience.
She stressed the need for prioritizing species and varieties with communities based on ecology, use, market demand and local knowledge.
Earlier, in a welcome address, the Chairman, Local Organizing Committee, Prof. Mohammed Sagir, appreciated the university for hosting the conference and commended participants, wishing them meaningful intellectual discussions, networking and learning.