Coffea canephora in Nigeria: Historical Context, Agronomic Practices, and Molecular Innovations for Sustainable Production

Coffea canephora (Robusta coffee) is a vital agricultural commodity in Nigeria, supporting rural livelihoods and contributing to foreign exchange earnings. This review synthesizes historical, agronomic, and molecular advancements in Coffea canephora cultivation, focusing on Nigeria’s coffee industry. This review explores the species’ genetic diversity, economic significance, production constraints, and best agronomic practices, emphasizing the transformative potential of molecular breeding to address challenges such as climate change, aging plantations, and market competitiveness. By integrating conventional and marker-assisted selection (MAS) approaches, Nigeria can enhance Coffea canephora productivity, quality, and resilience. The study also discusses socioeconomic impacts, policy frameworks, and sustainable farming practices, including agroforestry and climate-smart agriculture, to align with global sustainability goals. Emerging genomic tools, such as CRISPR/Cas9, transcriptomics, and precision agriculture technologies like artificial intelligence (AI) and remote sensing, offer new opportunities to overcome production barriers. Addressing research gaps, such as limited genomic resources for Nigerian Coffea canephora populations and underutilized wild germplasm, is critical for future progress. This review provides a roadmap for revitalizing Nigeria’s coffee sector, ensuring its economic and environmental sustainability in a dynamic global market. By fostering interdisciplinary collaboration and policy support, Nigeria can strengthen its position as a key player in the global coffee industry.