The International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) and Afe Babalola University Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD) today signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) that will see the two institutions joining efforts to unlock the potential of Africa’s human, agricultural, and natural resources.
IITA and ABUAD have a common interest in improving the nutrition and income of the rural and urban poor. The MoU provides a ‘bridge’ that will link the two institutions and foster cooperation to complement each other’s research efforts. “We are very excited in signing this MoU and we are also confident that together we can work to tackle the challenges to hunger and poverty,” said the Director General of IITA, Dr Nteranya Sanginga. According to Dr Sanginga, the MoU between IITA and ABUAD will help in building the critical human capital that will address the present and future challenges of not only agriculture but also development. “Today, if you take agriculture for instance, you will discover that the sector is faced with several constraints such as climate change, emerging pests and diseases, etc. These constraints can be tackled if we develop the human capacity that will provide solutions to them,” he explained. Under IITA’s revised strategy; research, partnerships and capacity building are key drivers for IITA’s success as the Institute aims to lift 20 million people out of poverty and free 25 million hectares of degraded land in the next decade.
IITA Deputy Director General, Partnerships and Capacity Building, Dr Kenton Dashiell said the MoU between IITA and ABUAD would help tap the potential of youths that are important stakeholders for rural and economic development.
“This is one way of meaningfully engaging the youths…giving them the tools to be productive,” Dr Dashiell added.
Specific areas of interest for the two institutions in the MoU include:
· Collaboration in research and development on topics of mutual interest,
· Development of joint research and development project proposals for submission to prospective donors for funding,
· Organization of joint research activities,
· Organization of joint conferences and workshops,
· Linkages between IITA and ABUAD scientists,
· Placement and/or exchange of students,
· Exchange of research materials, publications, and other materials of common interest.
Dr Dashiell said both IITA and ABUAD would work to implement the ‘areas of interest’ according to the terms spelt out in the MoU.
Established in 1967, IITA remains a leader in crop improvement and the fight against biological threats and environmental sustainability in Africa. Improved crop varieties from IITA have revved up productivity in several African countries with Cameroon doubling cassava yields, and Nigeria becoming the world’s top producer of the root crop.
But more importantly, in its 45 years of existence as Africa’s leading research partner, more than 74,000 people in Africa and elsewhere have received training in IITA. Some of these beneficiaries today occupy strategic positions in Africa.
In her contribution, the Vice-Chancellor of ABUAD, Prof. Sidi Osho, explained that the MoU which is of great interest to the university would also help in increasing food production and food security. According to her, the MoU will confer tremendous benefits on the university in terms of international linkages, exchange programs, organizing and strengthening research and proffering qualitative strategies for administrative capacity.
Located in southwest Nigeria, ABUAD aims at producing highly skilled and socially relevant graduates capable of applying scientific knowledge for the resolution of social and technological problems. The University is equally committed to transforming students into expert thinkers, innovative managers, and resourceful technocrats in all fields of learning. This vision is guided by the need to produce professionals who are sound and agile, and who could become future leaders in Nigeria and Africa.
For information, please contact:
Godwin Atser, g.atser@cgiar.org
Ayo Omotoso, ayo_omotoso2000@yahoo.com
CGIAR (www.cgiar.org) is a global agriculture research partnership for a food secure future. Its science is carried out by the 15 research centers who are members of the CGIAR Consortium in collaboration with hundreds of partner organizations. IITA is a member of the CGIAR Consortium.
IITA (www.iita.org) is an international non-profit research-for-development organization established in 1967 and governed by a Board of Trustees. We work with partners in Africa and beyond to enhance crop quality and productivity, reduce producer and consumer risks, and generate wealth from agriculture. Our award-winning research for development is anchored on the development needs of tropical countries.
IITA is a member of the CGIAR Consortium.