In a move to strengthen international collaborations and witness the impact of Dutch-funded initiatives in Nigeria, IITA Deputy Director General, Corporate Services (DDG-CS) Hilde Koper-Limbourg, welcomed the Dutch Agricultural Counsellor Inge Tenniglo who paid a visit to IITA headquarters in Ibadan recently. During the welcome remarks at the event, Koper-Limbourg reiterating the long, strong working relationship between IITA and the Netherlands Government and appreciated the Government of the Netherland for supporting projects in IITA and the CGIAR.
Tenniglo’s visit to IITA focused on two Netherlands-funded projects—Insects4Feed and the Youth in Agribusiness and Sustainable Agriculture (YAS) program. The Insects4Feed project is a ground-breaking initiative to transform agriculture through insect farming by developing a sustainable local insect production sector in Nigeria. This sector is envisioned to provide the domestic aquaculture and poultry industry with nutrient-rich, high-quality, affordable feed resources. Tenniglo witnessed the strides made by the project during her visit.
IITA-BIP Head of Administration and Corporate Governance Wole Oladokun, representing the Director and CEO Adebowale Akande, presented an overview of IITA-BIP operations both as the link between research innovations and commercialization of the successfully incubated research outcomes and a go-to within the One CGIAR centers on private partnership engagement, which connects perfectly with the role IITA-BIP plays in the Insects4Feed project. Oladokun highlighted collaborations with various partners, particularly those in the Insects4Feed project. He also showcased the successful incubation of Cohort-1 of the insect entrepreneurs and their upcoming business proposals.
Victoria Ayeni, IITA-BIP Business Development Officer and the BIP’s focal person on the Insect4Feed Project, shared insights on the Insects4Feed program, detailing the journey from the initial construction of a demonstration farm and the progress of the ongoing entrepreneurship incubation program. Tenniglo was particularly impressed and expressed interest in the program’s goals of providing a sustainable solution to local insect production and its subsequent impact on the Nigerian aquaculture and poultry industry.
New Generation Nutrition (NGN) Project Lead Officer John Amole, the project lead on the Insects4feed impact cluster, introduced the ongoing Insects4feed incubates and other partners in the incubation program. NGN CEO Marian Peters and NGN Entomologist Natalia Naranjo Guevara clarified their organization’s role in the Insects4Feed impact cluster program.
Tenniglo visited the Insects4Feed demonstration farm for a hands-on experience of the training and demonstration aspects of the project. Accompanied by other dignitaries, she explored the demo farm, assessing its environment, operational standards, and bio-security measures. The visit allowed her to witness the life cycle and stages of Black Soldier Fly production, contributing to a deeper appreciation of the project’s real-world applications.
Counsellor Tenniglo also delved into the Youth in Agribusiness and Sustainable Agriculture (YAS) program as part of her visit. YAS focuses on training and empowering young individuals in agriculture. YAS Representative Oluyinka Magaji showcased the impact cluster program for youth training, empowerment, and resource linkages.
Tenniglo was particularly intrigued by the commitment to transferring agricultural innovation and technology to the next generation. The need for funding to further extend the program’s reach and impact was emphasized, showcasing the potential for long-term sustainability and growth in Nigeria’s agricultural sector.
With the conclusion of her visit, the focus has shifted to upscaling the Insects4Feed program and commencing the second cohort. Through initiatives like Insects4Feed and YAS, the future of agriculture in Nigeria is poised for innovation, sustainability, and empowerment, setting the stage for a brighter and more resilient agricultural landscape. The collaborative efforts between the Netherlands and Nigeria promise to develop sustainable agricultural practices, benefit local communities, and foster international partnerships to pursue global food security.
Contributed by Victoria AyeniContributed by
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