By Raphael Ede
Enugu
The International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) yesterday donated about 35,930 kilograms of seeds to the Borno state government as part of efforts to cushion the humanitarian crisis in the northeastern part of Nigeria.
According to IITA Director of Communication, Godwin Atser in a statement, the donation is the largest quantity of seeds being offered to Nigeria in recent times, under the leadership of Dr Nteranya Sanginga to address the humanitarian crisis in the region—a region once referred to as the bread basket of Nigeria.
Delivering the seeds to the Governor of Borno State, IITA Deputy Director General for Partnerships for Delivery, Dr Kenton Dashiell, said the donation is a gesture aimed at helping Nigeria to rebuild Borno in particular and the northeast in general.
Atser in the statement said the donated seeds include improved varieties of cowpea, soybean, maize, millet, sorghum, and rice. The seeds are adapted to the climate of the region with some being extra-early, early, and intermediate, maturing. “They are also high yielding and resistant to the major pests and diseases, and other biotic and abiotic constraints in the region,” Dr Dashiell explained, adding that another 3000 bundles of cassava planting materials will be delivered to the state once the rains stabilize.
IITA Ambassador and Former Nigeria’s President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo described the donation as the most meaningful give ever given to the people of Borno state.
The IITA Ambassador pledged IITA’s commitment to support Borno state and Nigeria at large to overcome the challenging period.
“IITA and our partners including the World Food Program, the Zero Hunger Forum, and African Development Bank will continue to give priority attention to Borno state in particular and the north east in general,” Chief Obasanjo said.
In February 2017, the United Nations listed north-eastern Nigeria as one of the regions in the world facing hunger and devastating levels of food insecurity.
