The International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) has been identified as a crucial player in addressing Nigeria’s food security challenges through the adoption of its agricultural research and innovations.
With over 50 years of experience, IITA’s technologies have improved crop yields by up to 90 percent and lifted more than 7.2 million Africans out of poverty.
During a field tour of the IITA Abuja station, Dr Beatrice Aighewi, IITA’s Seed System Specialist, highlighted the potential of IITA’s solutions to enhance Nigeria’s crop quality, increase competitiveness, and improve livelihoods.
She emphasized that the institute focuses on key staple crops such as yam, cassava, maize, soybean, cowpea, and plantain.
Aighewi explained that yam, a vital staple for Nigeria—which produces 70% of the global supply—faces challenges including lack of quality seed tubers, pests, diseases, and inadequate storage.
She noted that IITA’s yam project, supported by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, uses advanced technologies like aeroponics and Temporary Immersion Bioreactors to produce clean, disease-resistant planting materials.
These efforts have resulted in significantly higher yields—up to 40 tonnes per hectare—compared to 6–8 tonnes with traditional seeds.
The project aims to reduce malnutrition and poverty while strengthening food systems through improved productivity and farmer support.
Mr Francis Adunoye, IITA Farm Manager, cited underfunding and poor agricultural extension services as major constraints, calling on the government to invest in training more extension workers to bridge the gap between research and practice.
He stressed the need for policy based on research findings to scale agricultural impact nationwide.
Victor Ekeleme, Senior Associate at the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN), led the media training initiative in collaboration with Nigeria Health Watch.
The programme aimed to build journalists’ capacity to communicate food and nutrition issues effectively, emphasizing the importance of collaboration and informed storytelling in transforming Nigeria’s food systems.
Participants explored key themes including nutrition principles, food systems, countering misinformation, and solutions journalism, equipping them to amplify messages on sustainable and healthy diets, especially for vulnerable populations.
NAN
