IITA-CGIAR open doors of collaboration to CIPESS delegates

2 May 2024

A delegation from the Center for Innovation in Procurement, Environmental and Social Standards (CIPESS) embarked on a transformative journey to IITA-CGIAR for a two-day study tour on 22 - 23 April to learn about IITA's existing agricultural system and practices for adoption and scaling.

The delegation lead, Prof. Shola Solomon, said, "IITA has contributed immensely to global agriculture. We are here to study the crop systems that have been efficient over the years. We look to gain valuable partnerships and resources to keep our Center running after current funding from the World Bank elapses."

The team was welcomed by IITA Deputy Director General Partnerships for Delivery (DDG P4D) Kenton Dashiell, and other staff and scientists in the cassava and yam research fields. Dashiell emphasized the essence of partnerships in delivering IITA's research and assured the team of maximum support for impact and delivery.

With a characteristic willingness to share the institute's pioneering work in best agronomic practices, sustainable and profitable agriculture, IITA scientists and staff representatives at the IITA Genetic Resources Center (GRC), cassava processing, yam breeding, and yam processing units displayed the technologies and resources in cassava and yam for adoption, including the Akilimo Advisory Smart Farming tool for cassava farming.

The CIPESS delegation engaged in insightful discussions with the IITA team during lectures, product exhibition, field visits, laboratory and storage facilities tours. They gained valuable insights into IITA's innovative solutions in breeding, innovation scaling, food product development, and value addition across value chains.

The CIPESS delegation lauded the technologies, and IITA's excellence, and warm reception. Prof. Solomon said, "We have seen wonderful products from yam and cassava, the various varieties, and vast value chain we can explore and leverage back home in Makurdi. We are looking to collaborate with IITA in these areas including exploring the possibility of joint proposal writing."

The delegation left IITA, with renewed determination to leverage the innovations at IITA. Affirming that the purpose of their study tour - to witness firsthand the impact of sustainable agricultural practices on local communities, and to forge partnerships for future collaborations in advancing sustainability initiatives - had been achieved. They also noted that the outlined programs to meet their needs exceeded their expectations.

Contributed by Folake Oduntan

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