ANNOUNCEMENT AND CALL FOR ABSTRACTS

FOR THE

34^TH ANNUAL NATIONAL CONGRESS OF THE RURAL SOCIOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIA (RuSAN) AT THE UNIVERSITY OF IBADAN, IBADAN, NIGERIA

The Rural Sociological Association of Nigeria hereby invites papers for the 34^th edition of the Annual National Congress of the Society with the theme "Enhancing Rural Food Production and Livelihoods through Resilient, Sustainable Farming, and Innovative Agricultural Systems", which has been scheduled to be held at the University of Ibadan, Ibadan, between 6 and 10 October 2025. This theme encompasses diverse sub-themes that delve into the intricate relationship between Nigerian rural food production, livelihoods, and agricultural innovation systems as follows:

1.     Social Capital and Community Resilience in Rural Farming Systems.

2.     Participatory Approaches in Agricultural Extension for Sustainable Food Production.

3.     Development Communication for Promoting Agricultural Innovation and Behavioural change.

4.     ICT integration in Enhancing Rural Farming Systems and Livelihoods.

5.     Climate-Smart Agriculture and Adaptation Strategies for Resilient Food Systems.

6.     Policy and Institutional frameworks for Strengthening Rural food Systems

7.     Youth and Gender inclusion in Rural Agricultural Development.

8.     Sustainable Agricultural Practices for Economic Growth and Livelihoods Enhancement

9.     Indigenous knowledge Systems in Building Resilient farming Communities.

10.  The Political Economy of Agricultural Production and food Importation. 

The theme seeks to addresses the intersection of food production, rural livelihoods, and economic development in Nigeria. With increasing challenges such as climate change, food price volatility, rural poverty, and limited access to modern agricultural tools, building resilient farming systems is paramount for sustainable growth. This theme emphasises the need to strengthen rural food systems through innovative approaches that enhance productivity, improve livelihoods, and foster resilience in the face of economic and environmental uncertainties. It calls for actionable strategies to empower rural communities by leveraging social capital, promoting participatory extension services, and integrating indigenous knowledge with modern agricultural practices.

The congress will explore the role of climate-smart agriculture, gender and youth inclusion, ICT, and development communication in transforming rural farming systems. It also aims to assess the policy and institutional frameworks needed to create an enabling environment for sustainable rural development. By addressing these interconnected areas, the congress seeks to provide a platform for stakeholders to share ideas, collaborate on innovative solutions, and contribute to the advancement of Nigeria’s rural economy and food security. Together, we can drive impactful change for a more resilient and inclusive agricultural sector.

We invite scholars, practitioners, policymakers, and stakeholders to submit abstracts that may focus on theoretical insights, empirical studies, case studies, or innovative practices that align with the congress theme and sub-themes. 

A. SUBMITTING AN ABSTRACT FOR THE 2025 ANNUAL NATIONAL CONGRESS

Participation in the 34^th Annual National Congress requires that the following steps be complied with:

1.       Only the abstracts submitted via this website (https://rusan.org.ng/p/conference) will be reckoned with.

2.       Log onto the conference website https://rusan.org.ng/login

3.       If you are not previously registered at the website, register at https://rusan.org.ng/register. If you are returning, having been previously registered on the website, you need to log in (https://rusan.org.ng/conferences/login)

4.       Upload your abstract file, which should be in Microsoft Word and not more than 250 words via these steps:

a.     Copy and paste the abstract title; meanwhile, retain the title and authors of the work in the abstract file to be uploaded.

b.     Indicate the field of the research.

c.     Add, at least three keywords.

d.     Add the details of the author(s) of the work.

e.     Indicate the corresponding author of the submission.

f.      Indicate conflict of interest in the research work if there are.

g.     Upload the abstract file - Microsoft Word file with title, author(s)' names and institutional affiliation, the body of the abstract & keywords.

h.     Agree with the terms and conditions of the submission by checking the box.

i.      Click on ‘Upload Article’.

5.       The abstract will be reviewed, and a decision will be taken. There should be an email address through which a decision will be conveyed to the corresponding author.

6.       You will be required to go ahead and make the payments for the conference and paper registrations. You may pay at the bank and upload the teller. The payment will be confirmed.

7.       Go ahead and prepare your PowerPoint slides for the presentation and send them to [email protected] and copy [email protected].

8.       You will register your paper at the editorial desk at the conference venue.

B. SUBMITTING MANUSCRIPT FOR CONFERENCE PROCEEDINGS

1.       Two weeks after the presentation at the congress, you are expected to return to the conference web page to submit the manuscript for conference proceedings.

2.       Log in and upload an abridged version (Times New Roman font, 1.5 line spacing, 12 font size, including reference; not more than 5 pages) of the paper, being your manuscript in the conference proceedings. 

3.       Please note that this will ONLY apply to papers that have been accepted, paid for, and presented at the congress.

4.       Manuscripts that are not uploaded or do not comply with the above-mentioned manuscript instruction can NOT feature in the 35^th edition of the RuSAN Conference Proceedings

C. SUBMITTING MANUSCRIPT FOR JOURNAL PUBLICATION

1.       For authors who may want their manuscript published in the association’s journal, the Nigerian Journal of Rural Sociology, the manuscript must be submitted at the journal’s website http://rusan.org.ng/journal. 

2.       Such manuscripts that should be submitted for a congress journal must have been accepted, paid for, and presented papers at the congress. 

3.       At submission, the receipt of the payment for paper registration at the conference will be accepted instead of payment for reviewers/processing fees.

D. IMPORTANT DATES

Deadlines

ü  Submission of abstracts - 15 August 2025

ü  Submission of PowerPoint files to the CoC - 20 September 2025

ü  Submission of manuscripts for conference proceedings - 21 November 2025 

E. FEES

Membership fees

Congress Registration fees          

Payment of fees

1. All requisite fees must be paid before the conference. 

2. All payments must be through the following bank details: 

Account Name: Rural Sociological Association of Nigeria

Account Number: 0726523698

Bank Name: Access Bank Plc

3. Evidence of payment of registration fees should be uploaded at: https://rusan.org.ng/conferences/article-payment. Only authors who upload manuscripts can upload evidence of payment.

4. After RuSAN has verified the payment, authors can download the Invoice (stamped with PAID) as the Official receipt(s) of the transaction. 

5. Again, NO CASH would be collected at the Congress venue.

Note: Accommodation requests can be made via [email protected] on or before 20 September 2025.

Click here to submit an abstract

 If you need any assistance, please get in touch with us via [email protected], 08035905311