The Institute for Agricultural Research (IAR), Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, has held its Annual Farm Walk at the Institute’s Research Farm, showcasing ongoing research efforts and innovations in agricultural development.
The event was declared open by the Vice-Chancellor of Ahmadu Bello University, Professor Ahmed Adamu, represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Advancement, Research and Innovation), Professor Sunusi Rafindadi, who chaired the occasion.
In his address, Professor Adamu expressed optimism that with adequate funding, the university’s agricultural complex has the potential to transform the nation’s agricultural sector.
He noted that with the wealth of expertise and research available at ABU’s agricultural institutes, farmers across the country could benefit significantly and boost national food production.
The Vice-Chancellor also highlighted the university’s collaboration with pharmaceutical industries on the cultivation of artemisia for malaria medicine, commending IAR’s team of researchers, scientists, and management for their dedication and achievements.
Speaking earlier, the Executive Director of IAR, Professor Ado Yusuf, represented by the Deputy Director, Professor Nafiu Abdu, led the Vice-Chancellor and participants on a tour of key research sites.
He outlined major achievements of the Institute’s current administration, including the completion of the horticultural garden fencing and several infrastructural improvements across its facilities and experimental fields.
Researchers, technologists, technicians, and farmers actively participated in the field tour, which covered IAR’s mandate crops—maize, sorghum, cowpea, groundnut, cotton, artemisia, and castor.
The event provided an excellent platform for interaction among scientists, students, and farmers, fostering knowledge exchange and promoting appreciation of IAR’s ongoing research innovations.
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