The Nigerian government has called for the utilization of land owned by the military for agricultural purposes as part of efforts to mitigate the ongoing food crisis.
In response, the Nigerian Army Farms and Ranches Limited (NAFARL) recently visited the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) to explore solutions to enhance agricultural production.
A delegation comprising seven senior military officials, led by Major General C. R. Nnebeife, was received by IITA’s Director of Partnerships for Development, Debo Akande, and Head of Security, David Oluwadare.
“For 57 years, IITA has been pivotal in enhancing food security in Nigeria through the development of improved crop varieties. We aim to support the Federal Government by scaling the technologies and innovations developed here at IITA,” said Akande.
Oluwadare noted that under the previous Director General, Nteranya Sanginga, IITA started a revolution in youth engagement in agriculture. This initiative has provided training, financial, and technical support to millions of youths, encouraging their investment in various agricultural capacities and crops. He also highlighted IITA’s role as part of a consortium of 15 research institutes that collectively contribute to global food, nutrition, and water security.
Nnebeife expressed his gratitude to the IITA management team for their warm reception, particularly given the short notice and changes in scheduling. He also commended the youth, researchers, and management of IITA for their efforts in driving innovation and progress toward enhanced food production and food security in Nigeria.
The NAFARL team expressed interest in establishing an extensive cassava farm covering over 4,000 hectares in Saki and Ede. They also showed a desire to explore other agricultural solutions through collaboration with CGIAR centers and partners.
Responding, Debo Akande, a technical advisor to the Governor of Oyo State, shared some of the state government’s efforts to address food insecurity, notably the ‘1 million homes farming scheme,’ which operates efficiently with minimal land usage.
The NAFARL team also expressed interest in signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with IITA to initiate a series of engagements aimed at bolstering food security in Nigeria.
At the end of their visit, Nnebeife lauded the institute for its expertise and consistency and presented IITA with a plaque in appreciation of their outstanding contributions.
