IAR&T Participates in 9th AASW and 10th FARA General Assembly, Exhibits Research Technologies and Innovations
The Institute of Agricultural Research and Training (IAR&T), Ibadan, participated in the just-concluded 9th Africa Agriculture Science Week (AASW), and 10th Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA).
The continental event, themed ‘Innovations and Partnerships for Resilient and Sustainable Agrifood Systems in Africa’, was held from Monday, July 27 to Thursday, July 30, 2026, at the Ladi Kwali Conference Centre, Abuja Continental Hotel, Wuse, FCT, Abuja. It was convened by FARA in collaboration with the Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria (ARCN), the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (FMAFS), the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development (FMLD), and the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy (FMMBE).
The international Conference, which featured an exhibition of agricultural products from across the Continent, was aimed at advancing agricultural transformation and food systems in Africa through research, innovation, and strategic partnerships.
Among dignitaries in attendance were the Chairperson, FARA Board of Directors, Ms. Bongiwe Njobe; Executive Director, FARA, Dr. Aggrey Agumya; Honourable Minister, FMAFS, Sen. Abubakar Kyari, CON; Honourable Minister, FMLD, Alhaji Idi Mukhtar Maiha; Honourable Minister, FMMBE, Adegboyega Oyetola; Honourable Minister, Federal Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology, Dr. Kingsley Tochukwu Udeh, SAN; Honourable Minister of State, FMAFS, Dr. Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi, CON; Sen. Adams Oshiomhole, CON, representing Edo North Senatorial District; Executive Secretary, ARCN, Dr. Abubakar Adamu Dabban; President, African Development Bank, Dr. Sidi Ould Tah; Director General, IITA, Dr. Simeon Ehui; Assistant Director General, FAO-RAF, Dr. Abebe Haile-Gabriel; Representatives of the Bank of Industry and European Commission in Nigeria; Executive Directors of NARIs; Provosts of Colleges of Agriculture; and Farmers’ groups across Africa.
The welcome address was delivered by the Executive Secretary, ARCN, and opening remarks by the Chairperson, FARA Board of Directors, while the Hon. Minister of FMAFS and the Distinguished Senator declared the Conference and Exhibition open, respectively.
The platform provided IAR&T the opportunity to showcase its products, research outputs and breakthroughs to policymakers, researchers, private sector actors, international organizations, development partners, and other relevant stakeholders. Technologies and products exhibited by the Institute included MoorBeta chicken and other Livestock commodities, Popcorn maize varieties and other Crop commodities, kenaf bast fibre, core and materials, soil map samples and varied compost, engineering innovations, and value-added products such as Soy Garri, packaged Roselle wine and Bambara Nut Flour. Patented products on display were Moor Custard Powder and Moor Lima Process Boost (Pre-cooked Lima-Beans). This underscores IAR&T’s resolve to ensure food security through agricultural research, training, innovation, and technology transfer.
The Institute’s exhibition stand was visited by the Hon. Ministers, distinguished guests and personalities, researchers, farmers, development partners, and other stakeholders. The event drew exhibitors from foreign and national agricultural institutions, including National Agricultural Research Institutes (NARIs) and Colleges of Agriculture.
Key participants included CAADP-XP4 Consortium (FARA, CORAF, ASARECA, CCARDESA & AFAAS); OCP Africa; National Agricultural Development Fund (NADF); International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA); Africa Agricultural Technology Foundation (AATF); Technologies for African Agricultural Transformation (TAAT); International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (ICIPE); Sasakawa Africa Association (SAA); and Research Institute of Organic Agriculture (FiBL).
Also present were the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT); RuFORUM, International Potato Centre (CIP); Centre for Dryland Agriculture (CDA); National Root Crops Research Institute (NRCRI); Rubber Research Institute of Nigeria; Lake Chad Research Institute; Nigerian Institute for Oil Palm Research (NIFOR), Benin City, Edo State; Institute of Agricultural Research (IAR), Zaria; National Institute for Freshwater Fisheries Research, New Bussa; National Agricultural Extension Research Liaison Services (NAERLS), Zaria; Nigerian Stored Products Research Institute (NSPRI), Ilorin; Nedci Mushrooms; Federal College of Horticulture, Gombe; and Federal College of Agricultural Produce Technology, Kano.
The IAR&T delegation was led by the Deputy Director, Prof. D. J. Ogunniyan, who represented the Executive Director. Members of the team included the Ag. Head of the Public Relations Unit, Ridwan Yusuff and Mr. Fatai Yusuf of the same Unit.
Other Institute staff who participated at the conference were Prof. O. T. Ande (Land and Water Resources Management Programme, L&WRMP), Prof. Vincent Aduramigba-Modupe, (L&WRMP and Head, NEFPO), and Dr. Modupe Timothy (Maize Improvement Programme for Southern Ecologies).
The event also featured plenary sessions across the conference sub-themes, highlights and achievements by the Secretariat, as well as formal handing-over ceremony of the Chairperson of the FARA Board of Directors. The newly appointed Chairperson, Dr. Mark Bagabe, from Rwanda, will lead the newly inaugurated Board for the next three years (2026 – 2029), marking the official beginning of a new dawn.
IAR&T’s participation reinforces its critical role and positive impact on agricultural development and food security in Nigeria and Africa.
