FG urges research institutions, as IAR&T outstation in Kabba- Bunu begins operation

Minister of State, Fed. Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Sen. (Dr.) Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi, has called for collaboration between research institutes and farmers to boost food sufficiency in the country.

Abdullahi stated this during the inauguration of the Institute of Agricultural Research and Training (IAR&T) outstation in Kabba-Bunu, Kogi State recently.

The Minister who was represented by his Special Adviser on Crops, Mr. Aminu Fisayo commended the management of the Institute for working tirelessly for bringing the dream of the North Central Region outstation to reality and for working in tandem with the focus of President Tinubu in the area of boosting food security.

“The Institute’s goals align with the Ministry’s strive to ensure food security in the country and I believe the presence of the station here in Kogi State would further boost the confidence of farmers and other stakeholders in this locality and neighbouring states, this is because government is relatively closer to us in terms of knowledge sharing, skill development and mutual benefit,” he said.

“I, therefore, want to appreciate the host community for accommodating the Institute, I will also want to plead for synergy among all key stakeholders to facilitate a model of collaboration built around common interest of improving the livelihood of all inhabitants of the community and the country at large,” he maintained.

Earlier in her welcome address the Director of IAR&T Prof. Veronica Obatolu highlighted the set goals of the outstation which includes fostering collaboration with local farmers, extension agents and stakeholders, while it will enable them to perform cutting-edge research on soil health and fertility improvement and utilisation of industrial crops, such as Kenaf and Jute and development of climate resilient crops and annual varieties.

She also disclosed that the outstation will provide state-of-the-art training for farmers, students, industrialists and various stakeholders along the agricultural value chain.

Some of the features of the outstation according to her include office complex, modern research laboratories, advanced greenhouse irrigation system, demonstration plots for best practices among training facilities and conference rooms.

“Despite achieving the first critical feature, the Station remains incomplete, I respectively request for government intervention, most especially the State, Distinguished and Honourable members of the Senate and House of Representatives and other stakeholders to facilitate the completion of the outstanding four key features of the station.

“As the Distinguished HMS commission this first building of the outstanding station, every staff member of the IAR&T is committed to excellence in research and innovation, partnership, collaboration and impact-driven programme,” she said.

The representative of the  Executive Secretary of Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria, Dr Charles Ebuje, affirmed that IAR&T is one of the big stakeholders in the agricultural value chain in the country and opined that the operation of the Kabba-Bunu Outstation will further engender the goal of food security and sufficiency across the country. He hereby commended IAR&T and rated IAR&T as one of the best among Agricultural Research Institutes in the country.

A community leader and a retired diplomat, Ambassador Lewu, who donated the take-off land to the Institute, enjoined Federal Government to provide agro-rangers for enhancement of security against the rots of herders in the community.

However, the Deputy Director of the Institute, Professor Johnson Adetumbi, traced the history of how the Institute got the expanse of land from Ambassador Lewu and commended him for his efforts in encouraging the Institute to have a station in the Guinea Savannah agro-ecology zone.

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