The IITA
CGIAR
No. 2333
4 –8 July 2016
IRD, IITA explore opportunities for collaboration
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senior delegate from the Institut de recherche pour le développement (IRD) visited IITA, Ibadan, on 28 June to explore partnership opportunities between the two institutes. The IRD Regional Director, Jean-Philippe Chippaux, was accompanied by Arnaud Dornon, Head of Cooperation and Cultural Affairs, French Embassy, and Martin Mbella, Secretary General of the French Institute for Research (IFRA), Nigeria.
In a meeting with IITA management, represented by Hilde Koper-Limbourg, Head, Project Administration Office, Chippaux outlined the objectives of IRD and its commitment to the development of developing countries through research, training, and innovation. He said that IRD has a significant mission to train young scientists from the global south. “IRD works in the South, for the South, and with the South, leading scientific programs focused on people and their environment, to contribute to the sustainable development of southern countries”, he stated. The visit, according to him, introduced IITA operations and identified areas of collaboration.
The IRD delegation tasting cassava food products at the cassava processing center in Ibadan.
The group was taken on a tour of IITA facilities and introduced to the various IITA technologies. The tour included a stop at the Genetic Resources Center, where Badara Gueye, IITA tissue culture specialist and former IRD fellow, walked the group through IITA’s leading role in preserving germplasm. At the Virology laboratory, the team learned about IITA breakthroughs and was shown how to utilize LAMP (loop mediated isothermal amplification) – a procedure developed at IITA for detecting viruses on the field. Other stops included the Pathology laboratory, NoduMax, the Cassava
Improvement unit, and the Business Incubation Platform (BIP). At BIP, the visitors discussed with the IITA Youth Agripreneurs (IYA) ways IYA continues to train and significantly change the perceptions about agriculture among youths, with profitable businesses being run in and outside of IITA. Impressed by the platform, Dornon expressed strong interest in exploring ways to work together and mentioned the possibility of a future partnership. As a follow-up to the visit, IITA and IRD will look at modalities for collaboration.
Reorient the African youth towards agriculture, pleads DG Sanginga
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t the Annual Meeting of the African Development Bank (AfDB) in Lusaka, Zambia on 23 May, IITA Director General Nteranya Sanginga strongly affirmed that the African youth holds the ace to transforming the agricultural sector when given the right orientation and empowerment. Speaking as a panelist at the meeting cohosted by INCLUDE to discuss ‘jobs for women and young people’, DG Sanginga
unequivocally stressed that young people can provide the much needed impetus to drive the next wave of development in Africa—but only if relevant stakeholders provide an enabling environment that will drive investments in agriculture. “Our youths are a resource that remains largely untapped whereas their energies could be channeled productively towards the sea of opportunities in the agricultural value chains. Only a well structured DG Sanginga motivates IITA Youth Agripreneurs to go into value chain activities in maize.
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system can ensure that agriculture creates the business opportunities and decent employment along the various value chains for the millions of unemployed youth in Africa. What is needed at this stage is to change the mindset of young men and women towards agriculture and make it a more attractive profession. For many young people in Africa, agriculture represents an unprofitable sector that requires a lot of hard, back-breaking work. Agriculture needs the energy and skills of the youth to add value to
the sector and turn it into a vibrant, “…For instance, a graduate of history successful, and fully commercial among the IYA is now the best maize enterprise,” he said. grower in northern Nigeria, and another graduate of communication and media Highlighting the success of the IITA studies is now one of the most lucrative Youth Agripreneurs (IYA)—a pilot project catfish farmers in Ibadan, Nigeria.” to empower youths through agriculture, DG Sanginga noted that a change in Other panelists who also spoke at perception towards agriculture could the meeting were Yana Watson Kakar, make a university graduate irrespective of Global Managing Partner, Dalberg; his discipline successful in agribusiness. Ada Osakwe, CEO, Agrolay Ventures; He also identified networking, and Jacqueline Novogratz, CEO, Acumen capacity and technical development, and Wanjiru Kamau-Rutenberg, Director as other necessary ingredients for any General, Africa Women in Agriculture and agribusiness venture to thrive. Research and Development, AWARD.
IITA empowers cassava farmers in Bukanga Lonzo, DR Congo
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he Agro-Industrial Park of Bukanga Lonzo (PAI-BL) is the first complex intended to transform DR Congo’s agriculture into an engine for economic development. When completed, the PAI-BL will have over 50,000 hectares of developed farmland producing staple crops and vegetables. It will also produce livestock products such as poultry and pork.
In addition to producing food, the PAI-BL will bring with it infrastructure required for agricultural development such as roads, power, and water. Smallholder farmers living in and around the PAI-BL will have the opportunity to take advantage of such infrastructure to develop their own agricultural activities to increase income and improve livelihoods.
Chiji Ojukwu of AfDB (center) and H.E. Matata Ponyo (left) listen to IITA’s Nzola Mahungu (right), IITA Representative in DR Congo, talking about the cassava processing equipment introduced through the SARD-SC project funded by AfDB.
that will enable them to increase their productivity, improve the quality of their produce, and add value to it so that it can IITA is committed to increasing the capacity of the smallholder farmers by be commercialized through the PAI-BL or putting at their disposal technologies directly to the market.
demonstration and training center for IITA Youth Agripreneurs. The processing center will improve the quality of processed cassava products, and reduce the time needed for drying and postharvest losses.
The IITA station in Kinshasa together with various partners have ensured that smallholder farmers received cassava planting materials from high-yielding improved varieties such as the Obama (TME 419) and technical support that has enabled them to use best agronomic practices for high productivity.
Staff members from IITA and the International Food Policy Research Institute led by Ir Simon Lukombo and accompanied by the Niji Lukas team of engineers visited PAI-BL to install and test the Niji Lukas cassava flash dryer.
Based on the good agronomic practices used by farmers and the genetic potential of the variety, yield is expected to be around 20 t/ha. It is expected that farmers’ production should be around 3,000 tons of fresh cassava tubers. Working on a 300-day per year basis, farmers would need to have a capacity of harvesting and processing 10 tons of cassava per day .
The first flash drier in DR Congo.
A cassava processing center will be established inside the PAI-BL to add value to farmers’ produce and for use as a
The flash dryer was successfully installed and tested using 500 kg of fresh cassava tubers harvested by local producers. Prior to the flash dryer installation, on 8 May, Chiji Ojukwu, Africa Development Bank’s (AfDB) Director of Operations, escorted by Matata Ponyo, DR Congo’s Prime Minister, paid a visit to the cassava processing unit. The purpose of this mission was to identify the progress made in constructing this facility and to look at the integration of small and medium-scale producers in agroindustrial development. The DR Congo government and AfDB are negotiating partnerships for completion of PAI-BL.
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IFAD-IITA HQCF organizes review meeting with processors
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embers of the High Quality Cassava Flour (HQCF) value chain project recently reviewed the activities of the HQCF processors on the project. The review meeting, held in Ibadan on 15 June, scrutinized success indicators of interest to the International Fund for Agricultural Development, the project donor. These include the change in yield and income of cassava root producers; value chain inclusion of youth and women HQCF producers; integrated system to reduce production cost; increasing the efficiency of processors, as well as Participants at the HQCF review meeting. market linkage for key players. Nigeria Ltd., Ayede-Ekiti in Ekiti State; and Open-Door Nigeria Ltd., Sango-Ota, To attain these targets, the project Ogun State. engaged four processors in south-west Nigeria who were charged to contract A common success acknowledged by young people, especially women, to all the processors was the massive yield farm. Since its inception two years ago, from the cassava varieties which they the HQCF project has provided planting adopted despite the non-use of fertilizer. materials, technical guidance, and monthly stipends to processors; and also Femi Salami, CEO of Oamsal Nigeria Ltd., facilitated the allocation of 2 ha of land also added that the project’s technique to processors by their host communities. for testing the starch content of cassava is cost effective.…Initially, I was thinking The processors in attendance were of buying a machine from China to test Arogunjo Foods Ltd., and Wahan Foods the starch content of my cassava; but (Nig.) Ltd. both located within Asa Local then the project team taught us how to Government Area of Kwara State; Oamsal check this without buying any equipment.
They helped us save some costs,” he said. The processors were able to save on labor and fuel among other factory costs. The processors announced their full commitment to root production and said they have gathered more equipment, engaged more youths, and cleared more land in preparation for planting this season. Also reviewed were the HQCF processing techniques at the factory level, flash dryer optimization system, diesel and kerosene consumption level; HQCF production per day; and market channeling.
IITA and CTA organize training on ICT, social media for youth
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he IITA-Central Africa Hub and the Technical Center for Agricultural and Rural Cooperation (CTA) organized its first training on ICT and social media for Agribusiness and Marketing in DR Congo. The training was held at Kalambo on 20–24 June. The training participants consisted of IITA Kalambo Youth Agripreneurs (IKYA), youth value chain actors, and civil society groups active in agribusiness. The training was facilitated by Mireille N’simire (ICT Specialist) and Kathy Kalala from Airtel DR Congo, who provided tips on how to win customers in agribusiness. She also shared the success of IKYA’s digital marketing tool using the Airtel Platform.
Youth Agripreneurs display their certificates of participation after the training.
of discussions during the 7th Africa Agriculture Science Week held in Kigali, 13-16 June.
awareness among development actors on Web 2.0 applications and social media learning opportunities.
This initiative has helped in the adoption, institutionalization, and dissemination of appropriate, low-cost, simple, and replicable Web 2.0 and social media applications for stakeholders identified as priority targets within the CTA Regional He informed the young Agripreneurs Business Plan for Central Africa. It has that “youth in agriculture” was the center also improved the skills and increased
Several online agribusiness markets were launched during the training. IKYA online markets can be accessed here or here.
In his remarks, Chris Okafor invited participants to actively and intensively participate and take advantage of the opportunity offered by IITA and CTA.
IITA Bulletin 2333
The training also gave the participants the opportunity to develop their online agribusiness marketing strategy to increase their revenue.
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IITA organizes first-ever Risk Awareness Week
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rom 27 to 29 June, IITA hosted Risk Awareness Week across all hubs and stations. With the theme “Consider the risk, Improve IITA”, the week aimed to increase awareness on risk management and develop a culture of risk management among staff. Organized by the Risk Management Committee (RMC), the week included Risk Walk, interviews with staff, seminars on risk awareness and business continuity planning, a debate on “IITA risks: threats or opportunities”, a quiz contest (What’s your risk factor?), and a photo competition called “Picture the risk”. The activities drew active participation from IITA staff at headquarters and the hubs/stations. The seminar presentations, given by RMC members, highlighted the importance of risk management in maximizing opportunities and minimizing threats. The presentations emphasized the inclusiveness of risk management practice, encouraging everyone to play an active part, and emphasizing that risk is everybody’s business.
DDG Ken Dashiell with the Risk Management Committee members flag-off the opening of Risk Awareness Week in IITA.
During the debate, the IITA community was able to critically engage one another in a discussion on the nature of risks, reflecting on how best to work with risks. Six teams, representing the sports fest
The week ended with the IITA community gaining an increased awareness and appreciation of the risks inherent in their daily functions and other IITA-related business processes.
colors, participated in the debate held at the Conference Center. As participants and judges of the photo competition, staff were able to identify potential risks present in their everyday work activities and suggest solutions to address them.
Risk Awareness Week is one of the strategies IITA undertakes to ensure risk remains a tool for improving business processes and practices, and puts importance on developing a risk-aware community. Risk management is also a major concern and priority of the IITA Board of Trustees and Management. RMC is chaired by Bussie Maziya-Dixon. The members come from critical units in the Institute and the hubs and stations.
Left: Staff signing up for the seminars. RMC members Kayode Awobajo (left) and Sylvia Oyinlola (right) interviewing staff about risks in the workplace.
The IITA community in Ibadan actively participated in the first-ever debate on risks.
IITA Bulletin 2333
An information campaign on risk was launched using posters such as these.
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Announcements
3rd All Africa Horticultural Congress, Theme: “Horticultural for Improved Livelihoods”, Conference Center, IITA, Ibadan, Nigeria, 7-12 August.
7th International Nitrogen Initiative Conference, Melbourne, Australia, 4–8 December. More details on the conference are available here.
IITA women’s group announces 2016 scholarship scheme The IITA Women’s Group is happy to announce the annual scholarship competition for 2016. They welcome applications from qualified candidates for scholarships in the following categories: • Junior-Secondary school (JSS) • Senior-Secondary school (SSS) • Post Secondary (including vocational training) • University
The criteria for the awards are as follows: • Applicants must be children of IITA employees on Pay Grades 1-6; • Parents/Guardians of applicants must have a valid contract with the Institute as a regular or short-term staff. Regular staff must have a 2-year contract while Short Term Staff should have at least a 6-month valid contract at the time of application; • Applicants are expected to be above average academically and should produce current school reports to prove this; • Applicants must be registered in schools or must have secured admission into a recognized school; Short-listed candidates will be expected to take a written exam and go through an oral interview to qualify for the grant. The value of the grant for 2016 is: • Junior-Secondary : US$250 • Senior-Secondary : US$300 • Post-Secondary : US$350
All sums will be paid in local currency. Cut-off mark for the written and oral interview is 70% for Post Secondary and 65% in SSS and JSS. Candidates scoring higher than 70% and 65% in the respective categories will receive the normal amount plus half of the grant. Those with scores less than 70% and 65% will receive half of the normal grant. Interested applicants should collect and return their forms to the following: Ibadan Headquarters: Employee Services Officer, Human Resources, Bld. 500 Outside Hubs/Stations: IITA Regional Hubs: The Regional Administrator and the designated focal person IITA Stations: The Station Administrator and/or the designated focal person All duly completed forms should be returned on or before 31 August 2016. Late or incomplete forms will be disqualified. For more information, please contact IITA-WGSS@cgiar.org
Call for paper The Building an Economically Sustainable, Integrated Seed System for Cassava in Nigeria (BASICS) project is calling for submission of inventive proposals on “Innovative treatment and presentation of cassava stems for increasing sales”. BASICS is a new project that aims to develop a sustainable cassava seed value chain in Nigeria, characterized by the commercial production and dissemination of improved planting material. This seed value chain will serve as a vehicle to deliver better quality and more productive varieties, and enable more efficient dissemination and adoption of new varieties to improve the overall productivity and food security, increase incomes of cassava growers, processors, and village seed entrepreneurs, and enhance gender equity. The project envisages benefits to farmers and industry through higher returns from the use of clean planting material of superior stem quality that are made accessible to farmers at the right time and at an appropriate price. This competition invites innovative ideas to ensure that “products” get the attention of the market. Participants are invited to submit their proposal (maximum 3 pages) on how to make a bundle of improved/certified stem of cassava more saleable to the farmers on a large scale. The proposal needs to have the following segments: • Contact details and a brief profile • Cassava stem bundle treatment, packaging, labeling, and handling proposal IITA Bulletin 2333
• Overall additional cost per bundle of 50 one-meter stem cuttings • What attributes will entice the farmers to pay a higher price and come back as a repeat buyer or become an advocate for it? Any individual or a group of individuals or an institute who has the ability to demonstrate the proposal in Nigeria is eligible to participate. The prize includes a $1,000 cash prize for the best proposal, aCertificate of Appreciation for the top three proposals; and $5,000 for implementing a pilot project as a part of the BASICS project. The entries will be judged based on attractiveness of the proposed presentation of the stems, practicality of the proposal, ease of availability of additional inputs being suggested, ease of handling of the bundle, tamper proof certification tagging of the bundle, overall cost and value for money considerations, etc. The entries should not be more than three pages long. The committee may seek more information at an appropriate time, if required. All entries and enquiries should be emailed to h.nitturkar@cgiar. org by 25 July 2016.
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