From the research labs of the National Horticultural Research Institute (NIHORT) to Farm Junction Foundation and Farm Gate, HortiNigeria marked World Food Day with one message — Nigeria’s horticulture sector is transforming, one partnership at a time.
Through collaborative campaigns and local engagements, the program showcased the people, ideas, and innovations driving sustainable food systems across the country.
“Innovations like tomato wine show that value addition is not just science – it’s strategy. It’s how we reduce post-harvest losses and create market opportunities.”
Dr. Ayoola Monsur Abdul-Rafiu, Chief Research Officer in Seed Science and Technology at NIHORT
Championing Women in Agriculture
In partnership with the Farm Junction Foundation and Lagos State Ministry of Agriculture and Food Systems, HortiNigeria celebrated the resilience and creativity of women farmers through the “Most Beautiful Farmer” campaign.
The initiative spotlighted female food champions whose leadership continues to shape Nigeria’s fresh produce markets — from youth-led cooperatives pioneering eco-efficient irrigation systems to smallholder farmers improving livelihoods through climate-smart post-harvest practices.
The campaign amplified the voices of women who are redefining farming as a business, not just a tradition, and inspiring the next generation of agripreneurs. By showcasing their achievements, HortiNigeria reinforced that inclusive growth begins with empowering women at the heart of food production.
Showcasing Research and Value Addition with NIHORT
HortiNigeria also collaborated with NIHORT to highlight the institute’s vital role in agricultural research, product diversification, and value addition. A focal point of the collaboration was NIHORT’s groundbreaking work on tomato wine, a testament to how research can transform everyday produce into high-value market opportunities.
Through joint communications and outreach, the partnership drew attention to the potential of Nigeria’s research community to drive industrial innovation and enhance competitiveness across the horticulture value chain.
Discussing NIHORT’s work on value addition in the horticulture sector on HortiTalks, a HortiNigeria-sponsored radio program, Dr. Ayoola Monsur Abdul-Rafiu, Chief Research Officer in Seed Science and Technology at NIHORT shared, “Innovations like tomato wine show that value addition is not just science – it’s strategy. It’s how we reduce post-harvest losses and create market opportunities.”
Promoting Food Safety and Sustainable Production
Further strengthening the celebration, HortiNigeria partnered with the Food Safety and Production Sustainability (FSPS) Campaign to promote awareness on safe and responsible food systems.
Through digital campaigns, market activations, and expert discussions, the initiative encouraged farmers, processors, and consumers to adopt environmentally friendly practices that ensure both food safety and ecological balance.
This collaboration underscored the importance of linking production efficiency with sustainability, aligning with World Food Day’s theme “Hand in hand for better food and a better future.”
Together, these partnerships reflect HortiNigeria’s integrated approach to advancing horticulture — connecting research, innovation, gender inclusion, and sustainability into one cohesive story of transformation.
By working alongside institutions like NIHORT and youth-driven platforms such as AgriInnovation Club, the program not only celebrated World Food Day but also demonstrated how collaboration fuels real progress — from the fields where crops are grown to the markets where food is shared.
These efforts directly advance Nigeria’s National Agricultural Technology and Innovation Policy (NATIP 2022–2027) and the UN Food Systems Transformation Pathway of 2021, contributing to global progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) — particularly SDG 2 (Zero Hunger), SDG 5 (Gender Equality), and SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production).
As Nigeria continues to build resilient food systems, these partnerships stand as a testament to what is possible when science meets storytelling, and collaboration meets community.
HortiNigeria (2021-2025) is funded by the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Nigeria and implemented by IFDC, together with KIT Institute and East-West Seed Knowledge Transfer Foundation (EWS-KT).
