IAR&T Commissions Kabba- Bunu Outstation

The Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi has called for collaboration between research institutes and farmers to boost food sufficiency in the country.

Abdullahi, who stated this during the commissioning of Kabba-Bunu outstation of the Institute of Agricultural Research and Training (IAR&T), said food sufficiency is one of the key focus of President Tinubu-led administration.

Represented by his Special Adviser on Crops, Mr. Aminu Fisayo, the minister commended the management of the Institute for working tirelessly to bring 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 aligns 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 ensure 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.

“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 improved livelihood of all inhabitants of the community and the country at large,” he said.

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, advance greenhouse irrigation system, demonstration plots for best practices among training facilities and conference rooms.

“Despite achieving the first critical feature, the station remain incomplete, I respectively request for government intervention, most especially the state, 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 institute is recommitted to excellence in research and innovation, partnership, collaboration and impact- driven programme,” She said.

The representative of the Executive Secretary, 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, noting that the operation of the Kabba- Bunu Outstation will further engender the goal of food security and sufficiency across the country.

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