The Farming Systems Research Programme is one of the research programmes under the Department of Research Outreach of the National Root Crops Research Institute (NRCRI), Umudike. The Programme promotes sustainable and integrated farming systems through research, technology development, capacity building, and effective extension services across the South-East geopolitical zone of Nigeria.

KEY SECTIONS:

• Root and Tuber Crops Integration

• Agroforestry

• Livestock

• Fisheries

• Climate Change/Agro-Ecology

• Training

OBJECTIVES:

The Programme is committed to improving the overall farming systems of the South-East geopolitical zone (Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu, and Imo States) by:

• Improving the agricultural practices of resource-constrained farmers.

• Identifying production activities, constraints, and opportunities through diagnostic surveys.

• Developing and validating improved technologies using on-station and on-farm research approaches.

• Disseminating proven technologies through Monthly Technology Review Meetings (MTRM), Fortnightly Training (FNT) sessions, scientific visits, and workshops.

• Coordinating the Research–Extension–Farmer–Input Linkage System (REFILS) to strengthen collaboration among researchers, extension personnel, farmers, NGOs, input agencies, policymakers, and other agricultural stakeholders in identifying production constraints, evaluating technologies, and planning future research interventions.

ACHIEVEMENTS:

The Programme has recorded significant achievements, including:

• Transfer of improved agricultural technologies to Agricultural Development Programme (ADP) Subject Matter Specialists through Monthly Technology Review Meetings (MTRM).

• Development of integrated root and tuber crop technologies for livestock feed formulation.

• Development and dissemination of improved production packages, including enhanced crop varieties, optimum plant population, fertilizer recommendations, weed management, yam staking methods, harvesting, and storage practices.

• Development of composite cassava root meal technology, allowing up to 40% inclusion in layer bird diets to produce eggs with reduced yolk cholesterol.

• Determination of optimum inclusion levels of root and tuber crops, including Orange-Fleshed Sweet Potato (OFSP), in poultry nutrition.

• Development of snail shell extract technology for inhibiting ethanol-induced stomach ulcers in experimental studies.

• Development of technologies that utilize root crop residues as complementary livestock and snail feed, supporting sustainable production while promoting efficient resource utilization.