Private-sector partners seek IITA collaboration on extended agricultural grants
25 November 2022
IITA–CGIAR considers the private sector a major stakeholder in the development of Africa’s agriculture; therefore, the Institute welcomes collaboration with diverse private-sector entities. From 29 October to 1 November, IITA hosted delegates from AgBiome Inc and 5Metis Inc at the Institute’s headquarters in Ibadan, Nigeria. The two US-based companies were exploring collaboration with IITA in the second phase of their grants from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to develop novel crop protection solutions against plant diseases for smallholder farmers in sub-Saharan Africa.
In a meeting with the IITA Management team, AgBiome Plant Pathology Head, Dr Mathias Twizeyimana, stated that AgBiome partners with local and international research institutes to validate their technologies. He added that AgBiome worked with IITA in the first phase of their project and sought to continue the partnership during its second phase.
5Metis Inc Chief Scientific Officer, Dr Brian Green, communicated that 5Metis™ intends to collaborate with IITA for the first time on field trials in the second phase of the grant. Green mentioned that the Gates Foundation encourages collaboration on projects among grantees. “For the early stage of our program, we are trying to get our initial field validation, and we are here primarily to work with IITA on solutions for banana black sigatoka,” Green added.
Associate Director of Biology at 5Metis, Dr Luke Steere, stated that he expects to better understand the cropping system in Nigeria and neighboring countries, particularly how crops and the diseases that affect them are managed. “We want to understand the agricultural system here and work with IITA to conduct field trials to manage black sigatoka,” Steere said.
The visiting colleagues also sought to understand how new technology, once proven and registered, makes it into the hands of end-users in the region. In his response, IITA Plant Pathologist Alejandro Ortega-Beltran stated that IITA has significant experience in transcending technologies from the laboratory to the industry to benefit farmers and consumers at scale and that those experiences can help both companies.
IITA Deputy Director General, Partnerships for Delivery, Kenton Dashiell, said that the purpose of the visit was clear and the discussion is pointing towards success, but it calls for hard work from all the parties involved. “As you go through the campus, you will meet with people eager and willing to work with you,” he concluded.
During a post-meeting seminar, AgBiome and 5Metis shared their journey from inception, highlighting their activities and achievements. The companies also gave insight into their plans for seeking collaboration with IITA in the second phase of their projects. After the seminar, the teams from both organizations toured IITA’s facilities.
In a wrap-up meeting with the IITA team, the visiting teams shared positive feedback about their visit. Drs Green and Steere lauded the top-notch hospitality and eye-opening experience that has given them a better understanding of the agricultural cropping systems. Dr Twizeyimana added that the tour was a valuable experience as scientists showed practical illustrations of their activities.
Following the four-day visit, representatives of both organizations confirmed their intent to commence project activities with IITA plant pathologists Ortega-Beltran and Yao Kolombia.
Contributed by Ochuwa Favour Daramola
