The CGIAR Global Director for Innovative Finance and Resource Mobilization, Andre Zandstra, in his week-long visit to IITA, 26–30 July, witnessed first-hand the business, research solutions, technology innovations, and impact deliverables of IITA.
At the Plateforme d'incubation d'entreprises (BIP), the technology delivery arm of IITA_CGIAR, responsible for producing agricultural solutions and upscaling them for commercial benefit, Zandstra had a run-down of the efficacy, use, and production capacity of the Aflasafe™ and NoduMax products. Zandstra and Frederick Schreurs, BIP’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO), proposed strategies to support seed companies in meeting the fallout posed by the fertilizer shortage due to the ongoing Russian-Ukraine war, among others.
Zandstra went further to interact with IITA Youth in Agribusiness (IYA). Representatives from the Start Them Early Program (STEP) and IYA took him through the projects, impacts, and influence they have had over the years among youth and primary and secondary school students in the African countries they operate in. Zandstra applauded the youth for harnessing available resources to meet varied demands in the agricultural sector, including fisheries, aquaculture, farming, training, value addition, and capacity development.
While visiting the Cassava Processing Unit, International Trials Manager Peter Iluebbey showed Zandstra around and listed the different cassava varieties developed by IITA so far, the high-yielding, bio-fortified, and improved varieties. He also saw various food products cassava root and leaves provide for African dishes. IITA Postharvest Engineer Diallo Thierno showed the Director an array of machines developed in IITA to meet the processing needs of cassava to consumable foods. He enjoined Zandstra to foster collaborations that would push the scaling-up of these technologies between partner companies and to other parts of the world.
At the Biogas Plant, Waheed Quader, Head of Facilities Management Services (FMS), and Martins Akeredolu, Deputy Head, FMS, took Zandstra through the technology of waste conversion to biogas developed by IITA and the Y-SWEP youth. He also had a drive through the canteen, IITA clinic, and the water treatment plant.
In all, Zandstra was pleased to experience in-person the various technologies developed by IITA to increase yields, improve lives and livelihoods, and promote food security in Africa. He leaves with a resolve to intensify initiatives, outreaches, and efforts that would direct funding to scale existing and proposed food development initiatives of IITA.
Contributed by Folake Oduntan
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