NAN-AE-5
Farmers
By Chidinma Ewunonu-Aluko
Ibadan, April 18, 2017 (NAN) The Institute of Agricultural Research and Training (IAR&T), Ibadan, is to focus on sustainable income generation activities to improve farmers’ livelihood in 2017.
The Executive Director of the institute, Prof. James Adediran, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Ibadan on Tuesday that the activities would include transfer of technologies to promote entrepreneurship in agriculture.
He said the institute’s technologies would continue to assist farmers by improving productivity in order to generate more income and boost their livelihood.
“We are increasing production target of certified seeds to 90 tonnes.
“The institute is intensifying research and development to reach more farmers,’’ he said.
He said no fewer than 4,000 farmers, intending farmers, NGOs, women and unemployed youths benefited from training programmes conducted by IAR&T in 2016.
Adediran said the objectives of the training programmes were to reduce poverty as well as create jobs and wealth.
He said that farmers, in turn, were mandated and empowered to train other farmers in their various locations.
The executive director noted that productivity could not be enhanced without demand-driven agricultural research.
Adediran suggested that research institutes, extension agents, farmers and others must partner to develop the agricultural sector.
He called for proper dissemination of research findings, revival of Agricultural Development Programmes (ADPs) by state governments and good funding of research institutes.
According to him, a number of demand-driven projects had been carried out in all the six geo-political zones of the country in areas of soil fertility, soil mapping, soil testing and soil management.
“Several workshops were also organised including prevention and control of armyworm infestation in maize; wealth creation through livestock production; and income generation through kenaf utilisation.
“One thousand capacity layer pen and a fertiliser storehouse were constructed.
“ Three additional vehicles were purchased for research purposes and a borehole was sunk in Ikenne outstation.
“We were also able to acquire 935 items of farm tools, including protective covers, 105 units of laboratory and field coats, 164 items of office furniture, 15 office cabinets, among others,’’ he said.
Adediran said the institute would do its best to explore national and zonal mandates given to it on kenaf, livestock, maize, cowpea improvement, among others. (NAN)
CC/AJA/OJO
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(Edited by Adeleye Ajayi)