Shaping the future of agroecology education in Africa
AGRECOFARM Final Conference
Advancing Agroecology Education: Future Opportunities for Agroecology in Africa
Part 2 · Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Nigeria (28–29 Sep)
About the Conference
The final event of the Erasmus+ AGRECOFARM project – a moment to present results, share experience and strengthen cooperation on agroecology and sustainable agriculture in West Africa.
About the Conference
The AGRECOFARM Final Conference is the closing event of the Erasmus+ AGRECOFARM project. It brings together project partners, academics, students, researchers, institutional representatives, agricultural stakeholders and local communities to present and discuss the project’s main results.
About the Project
AGRECOFARM is an Erasmus+ Capacity Building in Higher Education project that strengthens the quality and relevance of higher education through agroecology and sustainable agriculture, helping African partner universities become knowledge hubs for inclusive, resilient farming systems.
Conference Objectives
- Present the project’s scientific, educational and outreach results.
- Share the experience of developing new curricula and an MSc in agroecology and sustainable agriculture.
- Strengthen cooperation between European and African universities.
- Discuss agroecological practices and sustainable farming systems for West Africa.
- Promote dialogue among academics, students, stakeholders, policymakers and local communities.
What to Expect
- Presentation of the project’s main results and outputs.
- Sessions on agroecology education, curriculum development and capacity building.
- Experiences from African partner universities and local stakeholders.
- Discussion on sustainable agriculture, resilience and agroecological transitions.
- Networking and future cooperation opportunities.
Conference Themes
Production & Ecological Practices
Climate resilience & SSA systems, soil health & nutrient cycling, agrobiodiversity & seed systems, integrated pest & disease management with agroecology, livestock–crop integration.
People, Nutrition & Social Systems
Nutrition security, digital tools & farmer knowledge co-creation, gender, youth & social equity, agroecological transitions.
Enabling Environment & Scaling
Policy, markets & value chains for agroecological products; measuring impact of agroecological transitions.
Programme
The programme features plenary sessions, project result presentations, partner contributions, stakeholder discussions and networking.
| Part 1 · 25th–26th September 2026 – ACCRA (GHANA) — Host: Prof. John K.M. KUWORNU (UENR) | |
|---|---|
| 25th September – Day One | |
| Morning | Opening Ceremony Presentations by all Project partners |
| Lunch | |
| Afternoon |
Workshop on Agroecology in sub-Saharan Africa Topic A – How relevant is Agroecology in sub-Saharan Africa? — Prof. R. WADSWORTH Topic B – Precision agriculture and efficient use of resources — Prof. P. PICUNO Topic C – Integrated Systems and Agroecology — Prof. A. WEZEL, Prof. L. SOLAROLI, Prof. B. RICHARD Topic D – Oral/Poster presentations |
| 26th September – Day Two | |
| Morning | Project Final Meeting |
| Lunch | |
| Afternoon | TVET Activities (Co-organised by the two Ghanaian Universities) |
| Part 2 · 28th–29th September 2026 – ABEOKUTA (NIGERIA) — Host: Prof. Olusola Babatunde KEHINDE, Vice-Chancellor (FUNAAB) | |
|---|---|
| 28th September – Day One | |
| Morning |
Keynote Speaker His Excellency, Dr. Hussein GADAIN (FAO Representative in Nigeria and ECOWAS) |
| Lunch | |
| Afternoon |
Technical Sessions – Issues in Agroecology in Africa Sub-Theme A – Production & Ecological Practices Sub-Theme B – People, Nutrition & Social Systems Sub-Theme C – Enabling Environment |
| 29th September – Day Two | |
| Morning |
Round Table on Agroecology in Africa Invited paper to lead discussion by: Prof. Gbenga ADEOLUWA (UI, Ibadan) Prof. Emmanuel ONWEREMADU (FUTO, Owerri) |
| Afternoon | TVET Activities (Co-organised by the two Nigerian Universities) |
Presentation Format and Programme
- Paper and poster session open to early-career researchers (PhD students, postdocs, Master’s students), with peer review.
- A dedicated ‘Women in Research’ panel, featuring local (Ghana/Nigeria) and international speakers.
- Mentoring corner / Speed networking: short sessions of early-career researchers with senior researchers from the Erasmus project.
- Hybrid sessions combining in-person and online participation will be available for participants who are unable to afford travel or accommodation.
The final version of the programme will be published online by 15 September 2026. A downloadable PDF will be linked here once available.
Key Dates
Stay informed about the most important conference deadlines. Click each item below to view further details.
20 Jul 2026Pre-registration opens
Online form activated to collect participants, profiles and participation mode.
20 Jul 2026Abstract submission opens
Start of the abstract submission phase for oral, poster or other accepted formats.
20 Aug 2026Abstract submission deadline
Final date to submit abstracts to agrecofarmconference@funaab.edu.ng.
5 Sep 2026Notification of acceptance
Authors informed about acceptance of contributions and assigned format.
15 Sep 2026Final programme published
Final version of the conference programme published online.
24 Sep 2026Registration deadline
Deadline to complete registration for the conference.
25–29 Sep 2026AGRECOFARM Final Conference
The project closing event.
Deadline for submitting full papers to the conference Special Issue: further information regarding the submission process and publication venue will be announced after the conference.
Media Gallery
The Media Gallery will be available after the AGRECOFARM Final Conference. Photos, videos and communication materials will be uploaded here to document the event and share its results with the AGRECOFARM community.
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Abstract Submission
Participants are invited to submit abstracts on agroecology, sustainable farming systems, curriculum development, capacity building in higher education, innovation and knowledge transfer for sustainable agriculture in Africa.
Submission guidelines
Intending paper presenters are expected to submit an abstract for consideration. Abstracts should:
- Not be more than 300 words.
- Include name, institution, phone number and email address of the corresponding author.
- Indicate the relevant sub-theme.
- Accurately summarise the scope and main findings of the paper.
- Format: Times New Roman, 12 pt, single spacing.
- Include three keywords.
Abstracts must be sent to: agrecofarmconference@funaab.edu.ng. Submission deadline: 20 August 2026.
Register here: https://forms.gle/qZMu4osNvbxDwwPk8
Award categories
- Best Overall Paper — open to all participants.
- Best Early-Career Researcher Award — for PhD candidates, postdocs within 5 years of their degree, or researchers under 35.
- Best Paper by a Woman Researcher — dedicated to recognizing the contribution of women researchers.
Submission categories
- Full Paper — completed research (max 6,000–8,000 words).
- Extended Abstract / Poster — work in progress, theses, preliminary research (250–300 words).
- Case Study / Policy Brief — applied experiences, good practices, policy recommendations.
Themes & sub-themes
| Theme | Sub-themes |
|---|---|
| Production and Ecological Practices | Climate Resilience & SSA Systems; Soil Health & Nutrient Cycling without External Inputs; Agrobiodiversity & Seed Systems; Integrated Pest & Disease Management with Agroecology; Livestock–Crop Integration & Pastoralist Systems. |
| People, Nutrition and Social Systems | Agroecology & Nutrition Security; Digital Tools & Farmer Knowledge Co-Creation; Gender, Youth & Social Equity; Agroecological Transitions. |
| Enabling Environment and Scaling | Policy, Markets & Value Chains for Agroecological Products; Measuring Impact: Metrics for Agroecological Transitions. |
Important Notice: Only abstracts that have successfully completed the review process and have been formally accepted will be included in the Book of Abstracts. For participants attending the conference in Nigeria, inclusion in the Book of Abstracts and issuance of the final acceptance letter are subject to completion of registration and payment of the applicable fee. No registration fee is required for participants attending the conference in Ghana.
Registration
Registration is required to attend the AGRECOFARM Final Conference. Please complete the online form by 24 September 2026.
Registration for participants in Ghana
Participation in the Final Conference in Ghana is free of charge. However, the number of available places is limited to 70 participants. Early registration is therefore strongly recommended. Participants wishing to submit and present an abstract related to one of the conference topics listed in the event flyer should consult the Abstract Submission and Registration pages for complete instructions, deadlines and further information.
Participants attending the conference in Nigeria
The following registration fees apply to participants attending the conference activities organised in Nigeria.
| Category | Fee |
|---|---|
| Participants based in Nigeria – Physical participation | N20,000 |
| Participants based in Nigeria – Virtual participation | N10,000 |
| International participants – European and other high-income countries | €200 |
| International participants – African and other low- and middle-income countries | €100 |
| Students | 50% of the applicable registration fee |
Payment details for Nigeria
| Payment | Item | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Local payment (Naira) | Account name | FUNAAB I4CSA Project 2 |
| Local payment (Naira) | Account number | 2331845383 |
| Local payment (Naira) | Bank | United Bank for Africa (UBA), Plc |
| Foreign payment (Euro) | Bank name | Union Bank of Nigeria |
| Foreign payment (Euro) | Account name | FUNAAB/CAVA Phase II |
| Foreign payment (Euro) | Account number | 0057425596 |
| Foreign payment (Euro) | SWIFT code | UBNINGLA |
Participants should include their full name and the wording “Final Conference Registration” in the payment reference. A copy of the payment receipt should be sent to the email address indicated by the organizers. Any bank transfer charges must be borne by the participant. Registration will be considered complete only after payment has been received and confirmed.
Exhibition & Stakeholder Area
The Final Conference offers space to present initiatives, services, technologies and experiences related to agroecology, sustainable agriculture, higher education and innovation in Africa – for sponsors, exhibitors or a broader stakeholder area.
Why participate
- Increase visibility among project partners, universities, researchers and agricultural stakeholders.
- Create networking opportunities with actors engaged in agroecology and sustainable agriculture.
- Present initiatives, services, educational materials, technologies or tools aligned with the conference themes.
- Contribute to the dissemination and long-term impact of the AGRECOFARM project.
Packages
| Package | Visibility | Materials / Space | Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bronze | Logo on the conference website and/or materials. | Brochure or information materials. | To be confirmed |
| Silver | Logo + mention during the event. | Exhibition space and digital visibility. | To be confirmed |
| Gold | Enhanced visibility, dedicated space and premium recognition. | Exhibition space, website and programme. | To be confirmed |
Sponsorship packages and fees are indicative and to be confirmed by the Organising Committee.
Venue
The AGRECOFARM Final Conference will be held at IBIS Styles Accra Airport Hotel, Accra, for Part 1, while Part 2 will be held at the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (Red Hall, Senate Building), Nigeria.
Part 1 · Ghana — IBIS Styles Accra Airport Hotel
Part 2 · Nigeria — Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta
Accommodation
Ghana
- IBIS Styles Accra Airport, Plot 24, Enclave, Ghana (+233 50 704 0586)
Nigeria
- FUNAAB Guest House (08034934063)
- Adebayo Guest House, FUNAAB (08037204293)
- Peak Olam Hotel and Suite (08037204293)
- Federal College of Education Guest House, Osiele (09138835520)
- IBD International Hotel, Abeokuta (09054598660)
How to reach the venue
To be confirmed. Travel and local transport information will be added here.
Accessibility
To be confirmed. Accessibility notes will be added here if available.
Contact
For information on registration, abstract submission or organizational matters, please contact the conference secretariat.
Conference Secretariat
AGRECOFARM Final Conference Secretariat
Email: agrecofarmconference@funaab.edu.ng
For further enquiries regarding the Ghana event:
lesley.hope@uenr.edu.gh
patrick.maanikuu@uenr.edu.gh
For further enquiries regarding the Nigeria event:
Phone: +23430625030, +2348036767665
Project website
Chief Hosts: Prof. John K.M. KUWORNU (UENR, Ghana) · Prof. Olusola Babatunde KEHINDE, Vice-Chancellor (FUNAAB, Nigeria)
Keynote Speaker: His Excellency, Dr. Hussein GADAIN (FAO Representative in Nigeria and ECOWAS)
Lead Discussants: Prof. Gbenga ADEOLUWA (UI, Ibadan) · Prof. Emmanuel ONWEREMADU (FUTO, Owerri)
Committees
Committee
- Chair: Prof. Richard WADSWORTH – NJALA
- Prof. Richard K. BANNOR – UENR
- Prof. Hamidatu S. DARIMANI – DHLTU
- Prof. Christopher C. EZE – UAES
- Prof. Kay MÜHLMANN – UWK
- Prof. Pietro PICUNO – UNIBAS
- Prof. A.M. SHITTU – FUNAAB
- Prof. Alexander WEZEL – ISARA
- Dr. Caterina PICUNO – DMTR
- Dr. Liliya SATALKINA – UWK
- Dr. Gibril SESAY – CUSL
Organizing Committee
- Chair: Prof. Adewale DIPEOLU – FUNAAB
- Prof. Oladapo A. FASAE – FUNAAB
- Dr. Vitus A. ENWEREM – UAES
- Dr. Zoe GODOSI – DMTR
- Dr. Lesley HOPE – UENR
- Dr. Patrick M. IZIDEEN MAANIKUU – UENR
- Dr. Ola MOSTAFA – UWK
- Dr. Bismark OFOSU-BAMFO – UENR
- Dr. F. OKE – FUNAAB
- Dr. Roberto PUGLISI – UNIBAS