IITA, Jigawa Partner In Agric Development

The International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) and the Jigawa State government have formally signed a Memorandum of Understanding, opening a fresh chapter of transfer of agricultural innovations from IITA to that state.The agreement aims to facilitate collaboration between the Jigawa State government and the Institute towards rapidly improving food production, food security, and value addition and marketing of agricultural products in that north eastern state.'The signing of this MoU further demonstrates our resolve to work with partners,' said the Director General of IITA, Dr Nteranya Sanginga today.The deal to work with Jigawa State came after a visit by Governor Sule Lamido to IITA recently.Governor Lamido, who was impressed with innovations at IITA in Ibadan subsequently invited the Institute to come and help his state boost agricultural production.Dr Sanginga said IITA was impressed with the response by Jigawa State government, adding that the signing of the MoU was a 'clear message to governments across the world that IITA is willing to help.'The Jigawa State Commissioner for Agriculture, Alhaji Rabiu Isah Taura said the agreement signpost 'the level of commitment on the part of the state to collaborate with IITA with the aim of uplifting the standard of Jigawa State farmers.Under the MoU, IITA will assist the state through the following:Evaluate and adapt best-bet agricultural technologies that address problems of drought, parasitic weeds and soil fertility in cereals and legumes using extra early maize, and cowpea as test cropsDiversify the cereal-based cropping systems through the introduction and evaluation of adapted cassava varieties for both industrial uses and food securityIntroduce, demonstrate and disseminate farm gate post-harvest technologies for cassava, cereal, and legume cropsExplore the potential of the chaff by-product extruded from the Jigawa Starch Mill as livestock feedStrengthen the capacity of agricultural/livestock production, processing, and marketingstakeholders in the StateConduct a feasibility study to justify the introduction of farm gate processing facilities and the development of a cluster model to support the cassava-starch processing factory at Kila, which at the moment is operating below capacity.The Deputy Director-General, Partnerships and Capacity Building, Dr Kenton Dashiell said IITA was excited working with the state government to improve the livelihoods of farmers.Before the signing ceremony today, IITA had already deployed improved cassava, maize and cowpea varieties to Jigawa State.Working in Jigawa State is a boost for IITA, as the Institute aims to uplift 20 million people out of poverty, and reclaim 25 million hectares of degraded land across tropical countries.
Click here to read full news..