THE Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA), Ghana, has underscored the need for Africa to engage more in mechanised agriculture to improve food production in the continent.

Dr Yemi Akinbamijo, Executive Director, FARA, made the call on Friday at the closing ceremony of the Institute of Agricultural Research & Training (IAR&T), Ibadan, 50^th anniversary, held at the institute.

He stressed the need for Africa to shift to more organised market to create good incentives for producers as well as farmers.

According to him, Africans need to harness the potential of the 4^th Industrial Revolution technologies, based on strong innovation ecosystem that includes skills, infrastructure, regulations and policies.

The executive director further underscored the need for new partnerships, funding mechanisms as well as frameworks for financing Agricultural Research for Development (AR4D) in Africa.

“We need new approaches to move forward, if we continue business as usual, no country will meet the Malabo declaration of doubling agricultural productivity by 2025,” he said.

Akinbamijo, however, urged IAR&T to ensure that farmers benefit from its various research and experiments.

Contributing, the Vice-Chancellor, Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, Prof. Eyitope Ogunbodede, appealed to South-West governments to support research institutes, such as IAR&T to improve agriculture and food production in the states, Nigeria at large.

He commended IAR&T for demonstrating quality, excellence in the conduct of its research and development of agriculture in Nigeria.

The vice-chancellor congratulated the management, staff of the institute for the notable achievements they had made, in spite the dwindling fund.

Earlier, the IAR&T Executive Director, Prof. James Adediran, expressed gratitude to God for safe and successful anniversary celebration.

“I am amazed of the spirit with which the whole staff joined hands to celebrate every day, moment; the road show was well attended, participatory and exciting.

“The sporting activities were well organised, the opening ceremony was a class, honorable, dignifying, the lectures were comprehensive, educative, the proceedings of the donor agency forum were encouraging, fruitful.

“It gladdens my heart that every participant in these events was enthusiastic in contributing to the success of the golden jubilee celebration,” he said.

He also commended the anniversary planning committee, IAR&T staff, retirees, farmers as well as other stakeholders for supporting the golden jubilee celebration.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that dignitaries at the occasion include the Olubadan of Ibadan land, Oba Saliu Adetunji, a former governor of Ekiti state, Otunba Niyi Adebayo and other notable stakeholders in agriculture.

The highpoints of the occasion include raffle draw and presentation of awards to 11 personalities, including Ogunbodede, for their role in the development of IAR&T. (NAN)

– Apr. 12, 2019 @ 14:35 GMT |