IAR at forefront of crop improvement for over a century now, says Executive Director
Prof Ado A Yusuf, the Executive Director of the Institute for Agricultural Research (IAR), Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, says the institute has been at the forefront of crops improvement for over a century now and that the journey has resulted in 30 percent increase in yields for farmers.
Yusuf disclosed this at a one-day symposium with the theme, ‘Biotechnology Crops in Nigeria: Myths, Fallacies, and Facts’. The event took place at the University Assembly Hall today (Wednesday, 15th January, 2025).
Speaking as a keynote lecturer on ‘IAR’s Role in Genetic Improvement of Crops’, the Executive Director explained that the symposium was a clarion call for the Nigerian populace to embrace science and technology as tools to mitigate hunger and ensure food security.
Prof Yusuf, who was represented by the institute’s Assistant Director, Research, Prof. Lucius Bamaiyi, stressed that the institute remained committed to ensure that its research outcomes benefit all Nigerians.
“The most recent example is IAR’s intervention in the blight disease outbreak on ginger farms in Kaduna State.
“Scientists from IAR assessed the impact and came up with over 5,000 free ginger seedlings using modern biotechnology techniques and distributed to affected farmers”, he said.
According to him, IAR has 22 different varieties of cowpea, 13 cotton, 29 groundnut, and 75 maize locally developed at the institute.
The Vice-Chancellor, Prof Kabiru Bala, who declared the symposium open, commended the institute for its continued efforts in the area of scholarship.
Represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Academic, Prof Raymond B Bako, the Vice-Chancellor encouraged the institute’s scientists to keep the tempo.
ABU, according to him, is known for its valuable scholarship that helps in providing food security and employment for Nigeria’s teeming youth.
He emphasized that ABU agric complex is a unit the University is always proud of worldwide.
A number of presentations were made at the event, especially on biosafety issues, impact on food security and application of biotechnology in plant breeding.
In his presentation, the institute’s former Executive Director, Prof M F Ishiyaku, spoke in simple terms on the process of genetically modified crops.
Ishiyaku, who is a professor of plant science at the institute, talked on ‘Science and Application of Biotechnology in Plant Breeding’.
Others who made presentations at the occasion included Prof S.G Ado, Prof R.S Adamu, and Prof M.L Umar.
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Public Affairs Directorate,
Office of the Vice-Chancellor,
Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. (SGB)
Wednesday, 15th January, 2025
