![\"Picture](\"http:\/\/www.iita.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/1024_DSC_8053-3_0617.jpg\")
<\/a>The move is part of DR Congo\u2019s efforts to transform its agricultural potential, create wealth and jobs for the rapidly growing youth population.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cDR Congo needs to create jobs for the increasing youth population and agriculture can create those jobs,\u201d says Dr Ulimwengu, during a seminar presentation in IITA on Wednesday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOur estimate is that we need 1000 jobs annually to solve the growing unemployment,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Located in Central Africa, DR Congo has vast arable l and and a potential to feed the most of Africa. About 90 percent of the country\u2019s population in the rural areas is engaged in agriculture. Furthermore, the country plays host to more than 50 percent of Africa\u2019s surface water.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYet the country depends on food imports, and this is not good for the country,\u201d Dr Ulimwengu said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe hope that collaborating with IITA will help us advance and bring benefits of agricultural research to our country,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Dr Nteranya Sanginga, IITA Director General pledged the commitment of IITA to collaborate with the government of DR Congo.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe are ready to work with you and other countries in Africa to see how we can increase agricultural productivity and engage the youths in the sector so that they have decent jobs,\u201d Dr Sanginga said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Last year, DR Congo gave IITA a grant of $3m to help support youth engagement in agriculture. The mineral-rich country is optimistic that a partnership with IITA would help accelerate its agricultural development akin to what has happened in Nigeria. In context, IITA\u2019s Research-for-Development model has contributed in making Nigeria the world\u2019s largest producer of cassava, cowpea and yams. Research on soybean has also been accelerated with a significant increase in domestic utilization of the crop.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Drs Ulimwengu and Masankisa, who arrived Nigeria on Monday, took a tour of IITA campus, and visited labs, the IITA Business Incubation Platform, IITA Youth Agripreneurs\u2019 fish ponds, fish hatchery, postharvest unit, International Livestock Research Institute and Niji Farms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Several areas of interests emerged as the officials were impressed with the IITA Youth Agripreneur model and the value chain approach of the Institute which encompasses crop improvement in terms of productivity, and food safety especially the aflasafe technology.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe are interested in all that we have seen here especially the youth program and use of aflasafe technology to control aflatoxin in maize and groundnuts,\u201d Dr Ulimwengu said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
At ILRI, the team met Dr Okike Iheanacho who explained the work of his organization with particular emphasis on the use of cassava peels for feeds for livestock.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOur goal is to convert what could be environmental menace to a valuable commodity for animals. This will save food for human consumption and reduce competition between livestock and human beings,\u201d he explained.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Dr Masankisa described the visit to Niji Farms in Ilero as an eye opener and a demonstration of a can-do spirit in Africans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Niji Farms sits on more than a thous and and two hundred hectares and there are plans for further expansion. The farm is integrated, comprising cassava, maize, poultry and goats. The farm processes cassava into High Quality Cassava Flour, fufu, yam flour and gari, which comm ands high dem and from the United Kingdom.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For more information:
Godwin Atser,\u00a0Communication and Knowledge Exchange Expert g.atser@cgiar.org<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n