Scientists with Tropical Legumes III (TL III) and HOPE II projects and other agricultural scientists have held a three day in-country review and planning workshop at the secretariat of International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Kano Station ahead of the forthcoming cropping season to address challenges, to increased production and productivity of legume crops and cereals in Nigeria.
The experts also discussed the ways to improve the seed and other technology delivery systems of both crops across the states of the federation.
In his address at the meeting IITA representative Kano station Dr Alpha Yaya Kamara alerted participants on the emerging pest problem of fall army worm that is threatening the production and productivity of crops in Nigeria and Africa at large. Dr. Kamara also urged participants to proffer solutions to emerging issues, which is of economic importance to not just maize, but to host of other important cereals.
Similarly, TL III Seed System Specialist Dr. Lucky O. Omoigui revealed that developing sustainable seed systems in West Africa, research to improving food production will ensure a tremendous reduction in hunger and poverty in the country.
Professor Mrs Alabi of HOPE II project pointed out that activities of HOPE II had placed Nigeria among the world leading producers of Sorghum and Millet adding that Nigeria has continued to play a dominant role in global cowpea production with over 3.02 million metric tons of grain produced in 2016 from an estimated land area of 3.5 million hectare.
