Abuja: The International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting farmers in boosting productivity, food security, and nutrition across Nigeria and sub-Saharan Africa. Head of IITA Abuja Station, Dr. Beatrice Aighewi, highlighted this during the IITA Farmers' Day on Innovation for Nutrition and Food Security held in Abuja.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Aighewi emphasized that IITA's mission is to assist resource-poor farmers in increasing productivity, improving food security, and enhancing incomes across sub-Saharan Africa through research and partnerships. She stated that IITA conducts research on staple crops integral to Africa's food systems, including maize, cassava, yam, soybean, cowpea, banana, plantain, and cocoa.
Aighewi explained that IITA's headquarters is located in Ibadan, with research hubs spread across West, East, Central, and Southern Africa, as well as the Sahel. In Nigeria, the institute operates experimental stations in Kano, Onne (Rivers), and Abuja. She recalled that the Abuja Station was established in 1985 by the Federal Capital Development Authority as a demonstration farm to boost farmers' productivity and livelihoods, and it was later transferred to IITA in 1991 through a memorandum of understanding renewed in 2022.
The event marked a significant reconnection with farmers, partners, and the public, as the station had not held field days or exhibitions for over a decade. Aighewi noted that the Abuja Station now serves as a strategic hub for showcasing agricultural technologies to donors, embassies, development partners, and government agencies. She highlighted IITA's ongoing collaboration with the FCT Administration and the Federal Government to enhance food and nutritional security and disclosed that IITA maintains a plant conservatory to safeguard genetic resources for future generations.
Dede Ekoue, Country Director of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), commended IITA for organizing the Open Day and its leadership in agricultural innovation. Represented by Mrs. Chioma Opara, Ekoue emphasized the importance of rethinking food production, processing, and consumption to ensure healthier diets and resilient communities. She highlighted IFAD's long-standing partnership with IITA and mentioned joint initiatives like the Zero Hunger Initiative and the Agribusiness Hub Programme.
Prof. Ademola Adenle, Special Assistant to the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, reiterated the government's commitment to innovation-driven agricultural transformation. He praised IITA's demonstration farms as 'living laboratories' and noted that the event offered farmers and entrepreneurs a chance to witness how research can drive prosperity.
Mr. Abdullahi Ango, FCT Mandate Secretary, Agriculture and Rural Development Secretariat, praised IITA for convening the event and urged farmers to actively engage and provide feedback on IITA's research findings. Ango assured that the FCT Administration remains committed to supporting agricultural programmes that enhance residents' livelihoods.
The event featured exhibitions of IITA's innovations, research outputs, and new technologies designed to improve nutrition and food security. The Farmers' Day is one of IITA's flagship initiatives to engage farmers, policymakers, and partners in advancing sustainable agricultural development in Nigeria and Africa.