IITA partners with other CGIAR centers, national research centers, private institutions, and governments to promote agricultural activities that will improve livelihoods and create employment opportunities in Africa. IITA initiates partnerships and is also open to suggested partnerships, and establishes formal collaborative agreements where possible.
IITA welcomed Ambassador Rabiu Dagari, Director General, Directorate of Technical Cooperation in Africa (DTCA), who visited on 15 August. The purpose of his visit was to identify areas where DTCA and IITA can partner. DTCA, an arm of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, has similar responsibilities as IITA, focusing on Africa. Hence, the DTCA DG saw the need to partner with IITA to promote agricultural activities in Africa.
In a meeting, IITA Director General Nteranya Sanginga welcomed and appreciated the ambassador for his visit. DG Sanginga highlighted IITA’s activities and the technologies available at the Institute. He also talked about the contributions of the Nigerian government to IITA, which include the land on which IITA headquarters stands. “We are grateful to the government of Nigeria for allowing this Institution to be based here,” he said. In line with the DG’s remarks, Kenton Dashiell, Deputy Director General, Partnerships for Delivery, expressed his joy to have the ambassador in the Institute and hoped that IITA and DTCA would establish a solid partnership.
Ambassador Dagari said that agriculture must be put at the center of things for Africa to make meaningful development. This would form the basis for placing industrialization and other strategies for development. “I came to see what IITA has achieved and how we can collaborate to take things further,” he said.
After the meeting, Ambassador Dagari was taken on a tour of the Institute’s facilities and premises. He visited the Virology and Molecular Diagnostics Laboratory, Genetic Resources Center, Bioscience Laboratory, Semi-Autotropic Hydroponics, Business Incubation Platform, and Youth in Agribusiness Building. He also visited the IITA Lake and the youth tilapia reservoir.
Ambassador Dagari expressed excitement after the tour, stating that it was beyond his expectation, especially the expertise and sophisticated laboratory equipment in the Institute. He added that IITA’s approach to agriculture, especially youth engagement, is the right way and indicates a bright future. “I can see that the youth program in IITA is a huge success and the commitment of youth to the program shows that there is hope,” he said.
Ambassador Dagari further highlighted areas he identified for collaboration focusing on afforestation, youth entrepreneurship, Aflasafe, and machine fabrication. “DTCA will analyze these areas and look at what we have the capacity for to propose a partnership. We would also work towards having an MOU to define the nature of our cooperation and relationship,” he said.
Contributed by
Related news