As a key voice in climate-smart agriculture, Dr. Kanya engaged in high-level discussions on water management, sustainable farming, irrigation as a service and food security, sharing Nigeria’s unique challenges and potential solutions. His contributions emphasised the need for climate-resilient practices, innovative irrigation systems and sustainable farming funding, as well as the importance of an inclusive value chain and policy reforms to strengthen agricultural productivity and yield in resource-constrained and climate-challenged regions.

The conference brought together policymakers, researchers and practitioners to explore cutting-edge strategies for global water and food security management. Key takeaways included advancements in precision agriculture, drought-resistant crops and community-led efforts to conserve water.

Dr. Kanya’s participation reinforced Nigeria’s role in the global climate-smart agriculture movement, with follow-up actions expected to include knowledge-sharing workshops, policy recommendations and collaborative projects to implement key insights.

The event served as a vital platform for cross-border learning, with outcomes set to influence agricultural practices, water policies and climate adaptation strategies in Nigeria and beyond.

Dr. Rislan also participated in a series of high-level agricultural innovation tours held across Nebraska, USA. The tours were organised as part of a broader initiative by the Daugherty Water for Food Global Institute (DWFI), where Dr. Rislan and select participants explored the Institute’s efforts in integrating advanced technology into sustainable agricultural practice

Reflecting on his experience, Dr. Rislan expressed particular admiration for Nebraska state collaborative water management strategies and the hands-on application of research in real-world farming operations. "Nebraska's approach to water governance through the Natural Resources Districts model offers a compelling example of how local resource management can be both participatory and effective."

At the Nebraska Innovation Campus, Dr. Rislan toured the Greenhouse Innovation Center, the Nebraska Food Innovation Lab, the Food Processing Center and the Nebraska Innovation Studio facilities that showcase Nebraska’s leadership in agrifood innovation and entrepreneurship.

The Greenhouse Innovation Centre encompasses 45,000 square feet of greenhouse and headhouse space. It features state-of-the-art computer-controlled environmental systems, a LemnaTec High-Throughput Plant Phenotyping system and 22-foot eave heights designed to optimise air circulation. The facility is sustainably heated and cooled, and offers tailored greenhouse services to meet the diverse needs of research and development.

The Food Innovation Centre, a 178,000-square-foot complex, serves as a hub for partnerships between the public and private sectors. It houses the University of Nebraska Lincoln’s Food Science and Technology Department and hosts private companies in leased spaces. The centre includes wet and dry lab research areas, food-grade and non-food-grade pilot plants, a modern distance education classroom and fully equipped office spaces.

“The synergy between research, innovation and commercialisation here is truly inspiring,” Dr. Rislan observed. “The emphasis on sustainable systems and digital tools reflects where global agriculture must go” he added.

Dr. Rislan also emphasised the importance of biosecurity and health protocols that governed participation, highlighting Nebraska's proactive stance in protecting agricultural integrity.

His participation reinforces the Centre for Climate-Smart Agriculture (CCSA) at Cosmopolitan University’s commitment to the digital transformation of agriculture. Dr. Rislan affirmed that several models and insights observed during the tours and the conference would inform upcoming policy directions and pilot initiatives at CCSA and nationwide in Nigeria, emphasising scalable, sustainable, and tech-driven solutions.

In addition to the tours, Dr. Rislan actively built a robust network with experts and institutions including the various Department within University of Nebrasaka System, USDA Agricultural Research Service (ARS), Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), African Union, International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI), UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), International Water Management Institute (IWMI), as well as leaders in irrigation, water management, AgriTech entrepreneurship, government and academia. This international network will help shape the strategic direction and global partnerships of CCSA.

Dr. Rislan also shared CCSA’s plans to establish a Faculty of Agriculture with a strong focus on climate-smart farming, digital agriculture, sustainable water management, agri-innovation and entrepreneurship. The faculty will serve as a hub for training the next generation of agricultural leaders and researchers equipped to tackle Africa’s food security challenges through science, technology and systems thinking.