ABU Institute for Agricultural Research Celebrates Over a Century of Crop Improvement

The Institute for Agricultural Research (IAR) at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, has marked a significant milestone, celebrating over 100 years of pioneering crop improvement in Nigeria. According to Prof. Ado A. Yusuf, Executive Director of IAR, the institute's efforts have resulted in a 30% increase in yields for farmers.

Prof. Yusuf made this disclosure during a one-day symposium titled "Biotechnology Crops in Nigeria: Myths, Fallacies, and Facts," held at the University Assembly Hall on January 15, 2025. Represented by Prof. Lucius Bamaiyi, Assistant Director of Research, Prof. Yusuf emphasized the importance of embracing science and technology to ensure food security and mitigate hunger.

The institute has developed numerous crop varieties, including 22 cowpea, 13 cotton, 29 groundnut, and 75 maize varieties, all locally developed using modern biotechnology techniques. IAR has also intervened in the recent blight disease outbreak on ginger farms in Kaduna State, distributing over 5,000 free ginger seedlings to affected farmers.

The symposium featured presentations from renowned experts, including Prof. M.F. Ishiyaku, former Executive Director of IAR, who spoke on the science and application of biotechnology in plant breeding. Other presenters included Prof. S.G. Ado, Prof. R.S. Adamu, and Prof. M.L. Umar.

Ahmadu Bello University's Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Kabiru Bala, commended IAR's continued efforts in scholarship, encouraging the institute's scientists to maintain their tempo. The university's Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Academic, Prof. Raymond B. Bako, represented the Vice-Chancellor at the event.