Scientists at the Institute for Agricultural Research (IAR), Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, have won four international research grants worth about N1.213 billion.
The grants, valued at $948,678.53, will fund work on climate-resilient agriculture in Nigeria.
They were awarded under the Action Research for Climate Adaptation in Agriculture (ARCAA) programme. The programme is a joint initiative of Research Triangle Institute (RTI) International and the Regional Universities Forum for Capacity Building in Agriculture (RUFORUM), with support from the Gates Foundation.
IAR is the only Nigerian institution to win more than one grant under the programme. Its four grants make up half of the eight successful proposals from Nigeria.
According to a statement by Dr Sharhabil Musa Yahaya of IAR’s Agricultural Extension Unit, the programme received 149 concept notes. Only 14 were selected, a success rate of about 9.4 per cent.
He said the four projects will focus on:
- Alternative livestock feed made from locally available materials.
- Solar-powered, farmer-led irrigation.
- Scaling up climate-resilient and drought-tolerant maize hybrids.
- Better access to climate-resilient groundnut varieties through inclusive seed systems.
The projects are expected to boost productivity, help farmers cope with climate change and promote sustainable farming, especially in Northern Nigeria.
The Executive Director of IAR, Prof. Ado A. Yusuf, said the win reflects the dedication and research capacity of the institute’s scientists. He also said it shows how relevant their ideas are to farmers and the wider agricultural sector.
Yusuf said the institute is committed to making sure research excellence leads to real benefits for farmers, stronger agricultural systems and better national food security.
He congratulated the scientists and their teams, and promised continued support for innovation and partnerships.
The Vice-Chancellor of ABU, Prof. Adamu Ahmed, described the feat as outstanding. He said it reflects the university’s growing reputation as a centre of research excellence in Africa.
According to him, winning four of the 14 selected grants, including half of Nigeria’s successful entries, shows the quality of research capacity the university has built.
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