The International Institute of Tropical Agriculture, IITA, has said it is willing to explore ways to support Agricultural development and eco transformation in Niger State.
The Director General of the IITA, Dr Simeon Ehui disclosed this when he received the Niger State Governor, Mohammed Umaru Bago and his entourage in his office in Ibadan.
He explained that IIITA has been at the forefront of Agriculture research and innovation for over 5 decades, working across Africa to develop scalable solutions that improve food systems, enhance productivity as well as empower farmers and youths.
The Director General of IITA said their mission aligns with the transformative vision of the Governor, especially in driving Agric business, mechanisation and sustainable food production.
He said the Institute recognised the enormous agricultural potential of Niger State and its strategic location and commended the Governor for his dedication to harnessing Agriculture as a driver of economy prosperity.
Dr Ehui expressed optimism that working with the Niger State government will unlock greater opportunities to scale up cutting-edge technologies, strengthen value chains and improve the livelihoods of the people of the State.
Responding, the farmer Governor, Mohammed Umaru and acknowledged that Agriculture is the strength of Niger State and his administration has identified that the use of technology would help in harnessing the agricultural potentials of the State optimally, hence, it is investing so much in mechanisation.
He said the nomenclature he adopted, is to give the youths hope in Agriculture, saying he is very ambitious about agricultural development, as Niger State has provided itself as a pilot State to drive agriculture in Nigeria.
The Governor observed that there is a global focus on mechanisation, but with insufficient human resources to drive it, saying collaboration with IITA would bridge the gap.
He announced that the State Assembly has recently passed a bill for the creation of the Niger State Agricultural and Science Development Institute, first of its kind in all the sub-nationals and that it will partner with other relevant national and international institutes including IIITA to give focus and contribute in driving some of the agricultural initiatives of the State.
The Governor used the forum to highlight various efforts of his administration and the positive outcomes in crop production, animal husbandry, and disclosed that a team will be formed by the State government to continue discussing with IITA and finalise on concrete areas of collaboration to achieve the desired transformation in the agricultural sector.
The Cassava breeder, IITA, Ismail Yusuf and the Coordinator of Technologies for African Agricultural Transformation TAAT; a programme funded by the African Development Bank ADB, Chris Nkem in an overview, highlighting how IITA has deployed technologies to develop improved, drought, flood, and pest resistant varieties of crops such as rice, maize, cassava, soya beans, yam, and Cowpea among other crops for increased productivity.
They also revealed how technologies are being used to provide agriculture extension services such as soil information, stressing that IITA is also focused on youth entrepreneurship to reduce unemployment.
