NCRI’s Dr Mumeen Reviews Technology at Kwara ADP, commends Gov AbdulRazaq and EDNCRI for strengthening capacity-Building Partnership
The Head of the National Cereals Research Institute (NCRI) Outstation in Kwara State and REFILS Team Leader for Kwara Agricultural Development Programme (ADP), Dr. A.Y. Mumeen, has praised the enduring collaboration between the Kwara State Government and NCRI, describing it as a vital partnership for advancing agricultural extension and research-driven capacity building in the state.
Dr. Mumeen, a Principal Research Scientist with NCRI Badeggi, made the commendation on Thursday, November 12, 2025, in Ilorin, during a training session for extension agents drawn from across the three senatorial districts of the state.
The training, themed “Sustainable Agronomic Practices: A Panacea for Dwindling Crop Productivity,” formed part of the Monthly Technology Review Meeting (MTRM) of the Kwara ADP for the second quarter of 2025.
In his presentation, Dr. Mumeen compared Sustainable Agronomic Practices (SAP) with the more commonly referenced Good Agronomic Practices (GAP), emphasizing that SAP offers longer-term benefits for soil conservation, biodiversity improvement, and consistent crop productivity.
He urged extension agents to intensify efforts toward enlightening farmers on adopting sustainable practices that safeguard both the environment and the future of food production.
“Sustainable agronomic practices are not just about improving yields; they are about ensuring that farming remains viable for generations to come,” he said.
Dr. Mumeen also assured farmers and stakeholders in the agricultural value chain of the multiple benefits that SAP brings to both the environment and farm enterprises.
In her remarks, the Managing Director of Kwara ADP, Dr. (Mrs.) Alege, appreciated both the Kwara State Government, under Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, and the NCRI leadership, headed by Dr. M.N. Ishaq, for keeping REFILS platforms such as the MTRM active in the state.
She noted that while some states are struggling to sustain collaboration between research institutions and farmers, Kwara’s resilience and commitment to partnership have ensured a steady flow of innovations and knowledge to farming communities.
“The support from both the state government and NCRI has made it possible for our farmers to benefit from research-based insights despite financial and operational challenges,” Dr. Alege said, while commending Dr. Mumeen for his consistent efforts in bridging the gap between research and field application.
The Monthly Technology Review Meeting (MTRM) is one of the key tools of the Research Extension Farmers Input Linkage System (REFILS), designed to strengthen synergy between researchers and extension agents. The platform enables extension workers to learn and disseminate new technologies to farmers, while providing researchers with feedback on adoption rates and challenges in the field.
During each MTRM session, subject matter specialists present new agricultural technologies to extension agents, who then transfer the knowledge to farmers in their respective zones. Reports from these meetings are compiled by Zonal Extension Officers (ZEOs) and submitted to the state REFILS Team Leader, forming an essential part of the zonal REFILS conference deliberations.
Through these regular interactions, researchers gain valuable insights into the evolving needs and realities of farmers a critical factor in shaping relevant agricultural research priorities.
As part of its mandate, the National Cereals Research Institute, Badeggi, coordinates REFILS and other agricultural extension activities across Nigeria’s North-Central zone.
Dr. Mumeen, appointed as REFILS Team Leader for Kwara ADP in 2021 and reappointed in April 2025, continues to play a leading role in strengthening the state’s agricultural extension network.
REFILS activities in the North-Central region are currently overseen by Dr. N.A. Habib, a senior researcher and agricultural extension expert at NCRI Badeggi.