By Moh Bello Habib, Zaria
Institute for Agricultural Research (IAR) Ahmadu Bello University Zaria and Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria (ARCN) as partners will continue to collaborate to ensure food sufficiency in Nigeria as their mandates.
The Executive Secretary of the Council, Professor Garba Hamisu Sharubutu has said at opening ceremony of 2024 Annual Zonal Research Review and Planning meeting for Northwest organised by institute for Agricultural Research themed "Leveraging on Excellence in Agricultural Research and Technology for Sustainable Economic Development in Nigeria" held on Tuesday.
He said "As we forge ahead on this noble journey, let us continue to foster collaboration, nurture innovation and uphold the highest standards of excellence in all our endeavours. Together we can chat a course towards a more prosperous resilient and sustainable Agricultural future for Nigeria.
Professor Sharubutu represented by a Directors in the Council, Professor Bello Abubakar Zaki pointed out that IAR'S steadfast commitment to advancing the frontiers of agricultural research and technology has not gone unnoticed and its unwavering dedication, innovation spirit and tireless efforts were instrumental in driving sustainable economic development across the country.
Also speaking the Vice Chancellor of the University, Professor Kabiru represented Bala represented by Provost College of Health Sciences, Professor Muhammad Sani Shehu said his led administration was complemeting the Federal Government's initiative for Agricultural policy on Food Suffiency and Food Security through cultivation of 500,000 hectares of farmlands in order to promote all year round farming of wheat, Maize and rice where the University management have allocated quarter of a hectre from the limited farmland to its staff within the University for cultivation of cover crops like beans (cowpea), soyabeans and short/low crops like rice.
"ABU is committed to Mr President's Agricultural Agenda, in view of current realities staff have been allocated quarter of hectre from the farmland within University for cultivation.
"It's our collective resolve to ensure availability of food in a sustainable manner to enhance academic and social well being of all and sundry within purview of ABU through Agricultural Veterinary Complex research efforts". He said.
Earlier in his Welcome address the Executive Director of the Institute, Professor Ado Adamu Yusuf said his institute has recently introduced 17 new crop varieties to it's existing collection to better serve farmers' requirements which include 4 transgenic maize varieties SAMMAZ 72T, SAMMAZ 73T, SAMMAZ 74T and SAMMAZ 75T prized for high yield and resistance to full army Worm, saying "We also added one Pro-vitamin A Maize hybrid SAMMAZ 70 and an Aflatoxin-resistant Maize SAMMAZ 71, we equally unveiled a high yielding castor variety, SAMCAS 1 and 3 varieties, SAMOAT 3, SAMOAT4 and SAMOAT5 all known for high grain yield and elevated protein content.
"Several crop varieties were released in collaboration with private seed companies." Said professor Yusuf.
End.
