IITA and SAA strengthen collaboration to drive agricultural innovation

14 June 2024

In a strategic effort to strengthen the collaboration between IITA–CGIAR and Sasakawa Africa Association (SAA), SAA Tokyo Program Officer Momoko Higa and SAA Country Director Dr Godwin Atser recently paid a working visit to IITA’s headquarters in Ibadan. This collaboration aims to harness the unique strengths of both organizations, driving forward projects that prioritize agricultural innovation without compromising SAA’s core competencies.

Atser explained that the collaboration would explore and define the concrete steps necessary to operationalize the agreement to work together.

ThankGod Ogwuche, IITA Senior Research Supervisor, provided an in-depth explanation of the Semi-Autotropics Hydroponics (SAH) technology and its positive impact on the livelihoods of smallholder farmers.

During the facilities tour, Higa highlighted the collaborative efforts on the African Cassava Agronomy Initiative (ACAI) project and the development of AKILIMO, emphasizing the benefits of their partnership, which could serve as an advantage for SAA.

IITA Youth in Agripreneur (IYA) Business Development Officer Idowu Osun stressed the importance of engaging policymakers to establish structures within the agricultural system. Drawing on lessons from various countries, he noted that “Leveraging existing government facilities and promoting a mindset change among government officials would enhance agricultural development in Nigeria.”

Concluding the meeting, Atser emphasized the necessity of promoting IITA’s innovations through collaboration between SAA and IYA. He urged young agripreneurs to devise models to attract other youth to agriculture, highlighting the critical role of youth engagement in sustaining agricultural advancements.

Contributed by Anita Akinyomade