By AbdullahI Lukman
Vice President Kashim Shettima has expressed confidence in the potentials of the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) to support Nigeria’s agricultural revolution and food security efforts.
During an assessment tour of the IITA in Ibadan, Oyo State, on Tuesday, he emphasized that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s commitment to improving agricultural productivity could be further realized through collaboration with research and production institutions like IITA.
Shettima noted that the Tinubu administration is actively addressing the country’s food security challenges, highlighting the importance of partnerships with institutions that offer technical expertise.
He also acknowledged the necessity of looking inward for solutions, particularly as some specialized grants meant to alleviate challenges in agriculture and health sectors have been withdrawn.
The vice president praised IITA for its five-decade history of agricultural research and development, acknowledging that Nigeria has not fully utilized the institution’s potential until now.
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He stated that the collaboration with IITA would be a vital part of the country’s strategy to enhance its agro-food policies.
Dr. Simeon Ehui, Director-General of IITA, outlined the institution’s role in advancing climate-resilient seeds and agricultural technologies, including improvements in cassava, maize, cowpea, and rice varieties.
He highlighted the success of IITA’s initiatives, such as the USAID-funded Nigeria Integrated Agriculture Activity (NIAA) in the Northeast, which is creating community-based enterprises and increasing agricultural yields.
The IITA also recently launched a Regional Hub for Fertilizer and Soil Health, which will support sustainable fertilizer use and soil health improvements in Nigeria.
IITA has also partnered with the Presidential Food Systems Coordinating Unit (PFSCU) to address the ginger blight epidemic.
During the visit, Shettima, accompanied by key officials including the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Sen. Abubakar Kyari, and others, toured various IITA facilities, including the Seed Multiplication Centre for yam and cassava and the Business Incubation Platform (BIP).
