The International Institute of Tropical Agriculture has partnered the Borno State Government to curb hunger in the war-ravaged northeastern part of the country, as the research firm donated about 35,930 kilogrammes of seeds to the state.
The donation is to address the humanitarian crisis in the region, a region once referred to as the bread basket of Nigeria.
Deputy Director-General for Partnerships and Delivery of the IITA, Dr. Kenton Dashiell, explained that the donation was a gesture aimed at helping Nigeria to rebuild Borno in particular and the northeast in general.
The donated seeds include improved varieties of cowpea, soyabean, maize, millet, sorghum, and rice.
The seeds are adapted to the climate of the region, with some being extra-early, early, and intermediate in maturing.
“They are also high yielding and resistant to the major pests and diseases, and also, other biotic and abiotic constraints in the region,” Dr Dashiell explained.
He added that another 3000 bundles of cassava-planting materials will be delivered to the state once the rains stabilise.
Dashiell said, “The donation is being given because IITA is concerned about the plight of the people of the Northeast who, by many accounts, are food-insecure, malnourished, and need assistance to get back to normal life. We are committed to working with the Federal Government and the state governments in north-eastern Nigeria to transform agriculture so that the people are food secure and earn good living for their families.”
Elated, Governor of Borno State, Alhaji Kashim Shettima, stated that agriculture remains the highest employer on earth and the IITA plays a pivotal role in sustaining the sector in Africa.
“Words cannot adequately convey the depth of our gratitude to the IITA and to (former) President Obasanjo who is an Ambassador of the IITA, for the choice of Borno as beneficiary of a remarkable intervention.
Seeds, particularly at this time, are life saving for us in Borno State. “In a typical conflict situation, majority of farmers end up eating up their seeds because they can’t plant them. These seeds will be of immediate use to our farmers in the southern part of Borno State which has been less affected by the Boko Haram insurgency.
Farmers there are still carrying out their activities as against areas like northern Borno,” Governor Shettima said.
