Innovation cooperation with Nigeria for project STADSBRUK

Important results from the project

In Nigeria, especially at IITA, they work with business models and product development to strengthen the agricultural sector. From research based innovations to simple product and process development and incubator programmes for agricultural start-ups. In the Nigerian towns we visited, Ibadan, Abuja and Lagos, we saw a multi-faceted image. There are pre-conditions for local cultivation, and there is great interest in business models connected to vegetable, herb and medicinal plant cultivation. There is an extensive import and trade system in Nigeria.

Expected long term effects

Nigeria is a large agricultural country that is urbanizing. There is a need to move from large scale agriculture in rural areas to small scale sustainable agriculture in urban areas. The big challenges, similar to the Stadsbruk project, are access to land in urban areas, access to water and support to develop business models. In both countries there is a large potential market for more expensive niche products in cafés, restaurants and hotels. We expect to see a strengthened knowledge exchange between Stadsbruk and local actors such as WeFarmAfrica and FreshDirect.

Approach and implementation

In an urban environment, where population density is increasing, the green questions, whether you are talking about ecosystem services, agriculture or green roofs, are deciding factors for an attractive and sustainable city. A common trip for the three projects was very positive and opened up the possibility to meet a variety of different actors, discuss and see synergies. The three projects work with green issues in the urban environment, and they influence and connect to each other in a natural way which became obvious during the trip, as many of our presentations were made together.