PhD in Agricultural Economics
Current position: Agricultural Economist and Researcher at Centre for Sustainable Agricultural Empowerment, Nigeria
Research focus: agricultural climate risks management, agricultural health, and impact evaluation of agricultural innovation adoption
Toyin’s research goal is to help enhance sustainable, safe, and healthy food systems in Africa by promoting sustainable smart solutions for African farmers. In Nigeria, exclusive reliance on historical farming experience and peer influence has shown to result in massive crop failures due to climate variability in recent years. Toyin aims to provide climate data-driven digitally personalised climate change advisories to smallholder farmers. These advisories help farm-level decision-making on which crops to grow, when is best to grow them, which fertilisers, pesticides, and herbicides to use, in what quantities, and when is best to apply them. His research also includes the use of technologies to enhance targeted and safe use of agrochemicals to reduce their negative effects on the environment and the associated greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to climate change.
Toyin also aims at enhancing a better understanding of the technical and socio-behavioural determinants of technology adoption in farming households. He seeks to generate evidence-based strategies for agricultural decision-making, while pursuing a unique model for the development of local agricultural advisories targeted at farming communities.
Over the years, his research output has led to the invention of a climate data-driven game board climate farm calendar based on the Nigerian Meteorological Agency’s seasonal data forecast. This calendar supports farm-level planning, data-based decision-making, and climate change resilience. Toyin has also developed an interactive agricultural health game board, an agricultural health education and capacity-building tool for farmers and other stakeholders. These digital tools will be extended to web-based and interactive SMS packages.
In addition to developing evidence-based agricultural policies, his research findings have helped reduce poverty and increase farm productivity and income. Toyin’s efforts have thus contributed to achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals 2 (Zero Hunger), Goal 3 (Good Health and Well-being), and Goal 1 (No Poverty).
His research focuses on agricultural climate risk management and assessing the impact of agricultural innovation adoption. The jury was impressed by Toyin’s scientific excellence, his experience in the field of civil society, and his commitment to education for sustainable development to support local farmers in adapting to climate change.
The research of Toyin mainly contributes to the Sustainable Development Goals 1, 2, 3, 12, 13:
Take a look at this video that briefly introduces Toyin and his research:
