IITA collaborates with Ogun State government on agriculture
July 24, 2020
As part of measures to foster partnerships in agriculture transformation with governments in Nigeria, IITA signed an MoU with the government of Ogun State. With agriculture being a major source of income generation in southwest Nigeria and the country as a whole, IITA is exploring partnerships that will out-scale the available agricultural innovations to meet Africa’s most pressing challenges of hunger, malnutrition, poverty, and natural resource degradation.
The Ogun State government, based on its commitment to enhance self-sufficiency in food production, the provision of raw materials for agro-based industrialists, and generate employment opportunities agreed to partner with IITA on innovative solutions and capacity building to develop agriculture in the State.
On 23 July, the Ogun State Commissioner for Agriculture, Hon. (Dr) Adeola Odedina and his team visited the Institute and signed an MoU with IITA. As agreed by both parties, the partnership will focus on technical backstopping, the establishment of demonstration farms, and enterprise development at the Odeda Farm Institute. The strategic collaboration was initiated by the IITA Management.
Representing the DG, Nteranya Sanginga, the DDG, Partnership for Delivery, Kenton Dashiell, warmly welcomed the team and introduced the activities of IITA.
Michael Abberton, Head of IITA Genetic Resources Center and Kwesi Atta-Krah, Director, Advocacy and Country Alignment Function gave an update on IITA’s activities in Ogun State and future plans, which include breeding of cassava, maize, and yam. IITA is strengthening its partnership with the state for improved clean planting material production and supply through the IITA Business Incubation Platform, (IITA-BIP) among youth in the state. The parties are also working on digitalized collaboration of value chains for improved communication, coordination, and access to markets in Ogun State.
The Hon. Commissioner mentioned that the Governor of Ogun State, His Excellency Prince Dapo Abiodun is excited about the relationship between the State and IITA. “The proposed collaboration gives us mileage in the state; we are proud to be associated with IITA.” He went further to state that the meeting is a product of hard work from both parties and looks forward to achieving the milestones documented in the MoU.
While appreciating the Ogun State government team for their commitment to the success of the partnership, Dashiell said,” signing the MoU does not commit any of the parties to do anything, but the commitment exhibited by your team shows that the purpose of this collaboration will be achieved. We hope the partnership grows stronger.”
Kenton Dashiell, IITA DDG Partnership for Delivery and Dr Adeola Odedina, Hon Commissioner of Agriculture, Ogun State signing the MoU
The Commissioner and his team going on a tour of IITA
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