CGIAR
No. 2338
The IITA
8 –12 August 2016
3rd All Africa Horticultural Congress held at IITA, Ibadan
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he Nigerian Society for Horticultural Sciences, under the aegis of the International Society for Horticultural Science (ISHS) hosted the 3rd All Africa Horticultural Congress (AAHC), at IITA, Ibadan, held 7–12 August. With the theme “Horticulture for improved livelihoods”, the congress aimed to strengthen the voice of African agriculturists in their respective academic, research, and economic communities and industries. It featured expert plenary speakers, who shared their expertise in their various fields, spanning biotechnology, climate change, pest and disease management, and gender, among others. Speaking at the opening ceremony, Nteranya Sanginga, IITA Director General, challenged the Congress participants to think about ways Nigeria could improve in vegetable production and reduce importation. He said that IITA currently has one hectare dedicated to horticulture, and invited horticultural experts to partner with IITA and expand its horticultural program. “Teach us how to expand that one hectare, to DG Sanginga delivering his remarks at the convergence. 10, a hundred hectares”. Nigeria is the biggest importer of tomato purée in 10 years, the number will rise to 500 agriculture, but Horticulture is the and vegetables, Sanginga disclosed. million living below poverty line” he said. most economical, ecological, and Chiji Ojukwu, Director, Agriculture and “We live in a very unhealthy world. Billions most viable for nutrition, economic Agro-Industry Department, African of people suffer from malnutrition, livelihood, and environmental Development Bank (AfDB), Côte d’ and billions are overweight,” Marco security. “Respect nature, respect Ivoire, gave the keynote address. Wopereis, Director General, World the laws of the land, respect soil Ojukwu said that the objective of the Vegetable Centre (AVRDC) stated fertility, respect pollinators”, he said. Horticultural Congress aligns perfectly during his keynote talk at the congress. The Congress brought together with the vision of AfDB, in making the He told the congress that undernutrition more than 150 scientists involved horticulture value chain an important affects the health, mental, and physical in diverse horticultural endeavors in sector and achieving transformation potential of children. Its effects are often Africa; and provided a platform that in Africa. His presentation focused on irreversible. He went on to explain that encouraged a spirit of communication, AfDB’s Feed Africa initiative. Feed Africa undernutrition can be alleviated by collaboration, and sharing of is one of the AfDB priority areas, which fortification, vitamin supplements, and knowledge for the benefit of Africa. strives to transform African agriculture a more balanced diet that includes AAHC is an initiative of the ISHS. into a globally competitive, inclusive, and vegetables. A vibrant horticultural sector It is a platform created to facilitate big-oriented sector that creates wealth, can help reduce malnutrition in Africa. interaction among the different generates gainful employment, and Also speaking at the event, Krishna sectors of the horticulture industry improves the quality of life of Africa. One Kumar, Deputy Director General, Indian in Africa, build synergies, and of the aims of the project is to increase Council of Agricultural Research, further ultimately, unleash the underexploited Africa’s share in the global horticulture reiterated the role of horticulture in potential of horticulture in Africa. The industry. “Forty percent of Africans live eliminating malnutrition. He stated AAHC is organized on a rotational on $1.25 a day, and if nothing is done that there are so many branches of basis in the subregions of Africa.
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National learning alliance gives input to Uganda’s Strategic Program on Climate Resilience
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mallholder farmers dominate the agricultural sector in Uganda and are most vulnerable to climate change because of poverty and reliance on natural resources. Uganda’s agriculture is rainfed and highly vulnerable to climate change. “Low use of external inputs like fertilizers and improved seed, poor land management, and high postharvest losses have further reduced the sector’s productivity,” explains Steven Muwaya, the coordinator of Climate-smart agriculture and sustainable land management at the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries in Uganda. However, initiatives to reduce vulnerability and facilitate integration of climate change adaptation into relevant new and existing policies, programs, and plans are now being implemented in the country. Uganda’s Climate Change Department, under the Ministry of Water and Environment, in collaboration with the NGO Environmental Management for Livelihood Improvement and the CGIAR Research Program on Climate Change, Agriculture and Food Security (CCAFS) project on Policy Action for Climate Change Adaptation (PACCA), convened stakeholders on 3 August in Kampala to provide input into the development of the country’s new Strategic Program on Climate Resilience. While speaking on behalf of the Commissioner, Muhammad Semambo explained that the Climate Change Department is a coordination unit and a focal point for the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), but tackling climate change is a collective responsibility of all stakeholders. The workshop, which was organized under the auspices of the Climate Change Learning Alliance, brought together a wide variety of stakeholders, including policy makers and implementers, civil society organizations, private sector, academia, researchers, farmers, and the media to build capacity on climate resilience. Uganda was selected last year by the Climate Investment Fund (CIF) as one of the second round of countries to prepare the Strategic Program on Climate Resilience under the global
IITA Bulletin 2338
Participants sharing knowledge and experience at the meeting.
Pilot Program for Climate Resilience, which aims to assist developing countries to mainstream climate resilience into core development planning for transformation at scale, while complementing other development initiatives. Early this year, CIF approved a grant of US$1.5 million to support the Government of Uganda in preparing the Strategic Program on Climate Resilience, in parallel with the Forest Investment Plan, with the Climate Change Department and the Forest Sector Support Department as focal points, respectively. A first draft of the Strategic Program on Climate Resilience – identifying key vulnerabilities, impact, and potential investment projects – was prepared
after mapping and analyzing gaps in relevant climate change projects and interventions in addition to consulting key state and non-state actors. During the workshop, participants discussed actions to supplement climate resilience efforts and provided input for the further development of the Strategic Program on Climate Resilience. The PACCA project is led by IITA and works with the International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT), the World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF), the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), Bioversity International, and local partners in Uganda and Tanzania. The goal is to link policies and institutions from national to local level for the development and adoption of climate-resilient food systems in Uganda and Tanzania.
Group interaction on Climate resilience.
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AWF Chief impressed with IITA’s work on Intensification for Forest Conservation in DR Congo
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eff Crisfield, Chief Operating Officer (COO) of the African Wildlife Foundation (AWF) based in Washington, D.C., visited IITA’s sustainable agricultural program in the MaringaLopori-Wamba (MLW) landscape in the Equateur Province of DR Congo, accompanied by Charly Facheux, AWF Vice President for Conservation Projects; Jimmiel Mandima, AWF Director of US Government Relations; Brian McBrearity, AWF Managing Director of African Conservation Schools; Grace Wairima, AWF Senior Field Communications Officer; Hugues Akpona, AWF DRC Landscape Manager; Anderson Kehbila, IITA Systems Intensification Project Coordinator; and Tata Hangy, IITA Research Associate. Jeff witnessed the impact of sustainable agricultural intensification for forest conservation, a program implemented by IITA with financial support from USAID through AWF. “I have been involved in programs like this for years,” Jeff explained. “I am very impressed by this one. This is the sort of thing that AWF and its partner IITA should be doing – it
AWF COO Jeff Crisfield, interacting with members of a local village farmer association managed by IITA.
is about improving the life and the wellbeing of people while at the same time conserving biological diversity.” During his visit, Jeff met with Baka Hermes, the president of a farmer association – Motema Pembe. Hermes, now fully committed, organized a group of 30 farmers from his village and floated the idea of community agricultural intensification, which was galvanized into action. Best agronomic
methods were demonstrated and then implemented. The results were beyond expectation. With cassava fresh root yield exceeding 35 tons per hectare, farmers like Hermes are well on their way to turning around their fortunes on the same piece of land, thus conserving the forest and associated biodiversity. After the visit, the AWF team returned to Kinshasa for further deliberations on the way forward.
New haulage machine launched at FMS
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brand new 80-ton Man Diesel trailer with the capacity to transport earth moving machines and heavy equipment has been acquired by the Facilities Management Services (FMS) at IITA, Ibadan, to support the activities and operations at the Institute. This new addition will facilitate haulage jobs and also improve efficiency of handlers of heavy equipment. The machine was commissioned by DG Nteranya Sanginga in the presence of management, staff, and scientists on 5 August. “This new 80-ton, low-bed trailer is safety compliant and will serve other IITA users, within Nigeria and beyond and is expected to significantly reduce FMS’ operational costs and increase the unit’s productivity level,” said Waheed Quader, Head of FMS. Speaking to the staff, DG Sanginga said he was pleased to commission the equipment. He implored IITA staff to take care of IITA and its facilities.
“Take care of IITA and IITA will take care of you,” he said. DG Sanginga also advised staff members to be determined and disciplined and assured them that the next five years will be better. Kwame Akuffo-Akoto, Deputy Director General, Corporate Services, also commended the unit and encouraged them to continue to work hard.
Quader and Martins Akeredolu, Deputy Head, FMS, pledged the unit’s commitment to continue improving on its services, and wished the DG a happy second tenure in office. FMS welcomes patronage from users of haulage services while assuring that the tariff for this service will be competitive, and the transport safe.
DG Sanginga cutting the tape to launch the equipment.
Got a story to share? Please email it with photos and captions every Wednesday to Katherine Lopez (k.lopez@cgiar.org), Jeffrey T. Oliver (j.oliver@cgiar.org), Catherine Njuguna (c.njuguna@cgiar.org), or Adaobi Umeokoro (a.umeokoro@cgiar.org).
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Emir of Keffi, Chun-Mada of Akwanga hosts IITA Abuja, offers hectares of land and exhibition opportunity The Chun-Mada of Akwanga in Nasarawa State, Chief Samson Gamu Yare has promised to offer hectares of land to IITA for Demonstration Trials, as well as an opportunity for the Institute to exhibit their proven agricultural technologies to his clan. The First-class Royal Father disclosed this when he received a delegation from IITA in his palace in Akwanga, Nasarawa State, alongside IITA’s former staff member and former Polish MP, Honorable John Abraham Godson who led the delegation. Hon Godson was listed among the 100 Most Influential People in Africa in 2015 by New African Magazine. IITAs team comprised the IITA’s Head of Station in Abuja, Gbassey Tarawali and the Communication Officer, Obinna Chukwuezie. The Akwangas are predominantly Mada Eggon people. Akwanga is also the agricultural hub of Nasarawa state with a very large land mass. The city is about 100 km from Abuja. Explaining the purpose of the visit to their host, Tarawali indicated IITA’s keen interest in the vast extent of arable land in the Chiefdom and willingness to partner with them, especially in the area of securing land, the supply of improved/high-yielding crop varieties, and management practices of IITA’s mandate crops, agribusiness, and mechanization, among others. Responding, the Royal Father said he was “highly elated by the visit and the interest of IITA in Akwanga.” Continuing, “Akwanga is the best place to do farming in Nasarawa State.
Hon John Abraham Godson, former Polish MP; Emir of Keffi, Alhaji Dr Shehu Chindo, Yamusa III; Gbassey Tarawali, IITA Abuja Representative; and Obinna Chukwuezie, IITA Communication Officer.
Whatever you need is here—arable land, manpower, and supporting institutions. Whatever you want to do—Demonstration Trials, Seed Multiplication, and any other activity you may have in mind, you can do it here, starting from my personal farm. When I see the success, then whatever land you need can be provided to you, he said. While the members of the IITA delegation were there, the Royal Father invited the Local Government authorities to be part of the interaction. In the end, he mandated them to fix a date when IITA can exhibit their products for display to farmers and extension workers in the whole Local Government Area. In the same vein, the Emir of Keffi in Nasarawa State, Alhaji Dr Shehu Chindo, Yamusa III also hosted the IITA delegation in his palace in Keffi. In
response, the royal father said, “This is your home. Feel free to come and promote anything you want us to start. In fact, you can start Demonstration Trials in my personal farm. We are happy that you want to help the people of Keffi Emirate in food production. Without food we cannot survive, and food is very expensive now. Our people need more food. I need more food to feed the 80 people in this palace that I inherited as the Emir.” “I regret that I did not study Agriculture in the university, the royal father said while narrating the huge potentials in farming, which he had seen for himself in Europe, Asia, America, and a host of other places. Keffi is about 44 km from Abuja, and this proximity to Abuja’s market, makes it ideal for selling farm products.
New Executive Director of CGIAR System Organization announced CGIAR, the world’s largest agricultural research-for -development partnership, this week announced the appointment of Elwyn GraingerJones as Executive Director of the CGIAR System Organization, formerly CGIAR Consortium “In the face of increased and complex risks posed by climate change, the world needs CGIAR more than ever,” says Grainger-Jones. Read full article here. Standing from left: Nghargbu K’tso, Lecturer at Nasarawa State University; Hon John Abraham Godson, former Polish MP; HRH Chun-Mada of Akwanga, Chief Samson Gamu Yare; Gbassey Tarawali, IITA Abuja Representative; and Obinna Chukwuezie, IITA Communication Officer. Squatting: Palace Guards
IITA Bulletin 2338
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