The Institute of Agricultural Research and Training (IAR&T) has highlighted some of the institution monumental feats in the areas of soil, crop and livestock research to improve farming systems in the country to mark its 50 years anniversary celebration.
While rolling out the achievements of the research institution, James Adediran, the executive director of the institute said the IAR&T has developed some proven technologies that have benefited millions of farming families in the country.
Among the landmark achievements attained by the institute, Adediran stated were soil research, production of soil and nutrient maps for farmer’s use.
Also, creating guidelines for soil management techniques, development of fortified organic fertilisers and creating of enriched composts through partiality aerated technique within a highly reduced period of preparation.
“Over 70 new varieties of maize, cowpea, soyabean and kenaf have been developed for high yielding and quality, improved cultural and processing techniques have been developed for our mandate crops including value addition.
“For livestock research, we have created improved formulated feeds and housing for macro and micro livestock production as well as improved animal reproduction through artificial insemination technique,” he said.
“We have developed improve farming systems techniques, REFILS coordination facilitated; numerous new and improved technologies promoted and disseminated.”
Adediran added that over 1,200 trainings have been conducted for farmers and trainees while new technologies have been disseminated to millions of farm families through electronic and print media.
“Low cost efficient sprinkler and self-propelled single row weeder fabrication.”
At the press conference to herald the 50th anniversary of the institute in Ibadan, the professor said that he was convinced that the institute has lived up to its expectations as a centre of excellence in agricultural research since it was established.
“We then ask ourselves, have we done enough to showcase thus reasons for our establishment? And even celebrate at 50? I can confidently say yes, in that our breakthroughs in agricultural research are based on the level of resources available for our use. I am convinced that despite the above challenges, IAR&T has lived up to expectation as a centre of excellence in agricultural research.
“The environment in which the research is carried out has made the institution stronger and resilient to forge ahead looking forward to a vibrant future with greater achievements.
As we celebrate the institute at 50, we are looking back to memory lane, the institute has experienced various stages of growth and gone through different sets of reforms and transformation that require proper attention for celebration, he said.
Akinremi Feyisipo,Ibadan
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