The Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria (CRIN), has assured its readiness to partner with the Institute of Agricultural Research and Training (IAR&T), Moor Plantation, Ibadan on kenaf and jute production for the country.

This was disclosed by the Executive Director of CRIN, Dr. Patrick Adebola while giving his goodwill message at the opening ceremony of the 35th Southwest Research Extension Farmers Input Linkage Systems (REFILS) Workshop and Inhouse Review Exercise of IAR&T held on Monday, April 15, 2024, at Prof. E. A. Adebowale Training Hall, IAR&T, Apata, Ibadan, Oyo State.

Speaking through the Director of Research Outreach of the institute, Dr. A. O. Adedeji, the management of CRIN congratulated the institute for their crucial performance that has remained regular and increasing standard, promising to stand “solidly behind you and we will collaborate without looking back.

Noting the need for Nigeria to go back to being a producing a top producer in the agricultural sector in the world, Adebola said both institutes will partner in manufacturing products that will carry made-in-Nigeria trademark and will project their productivity.

Since CRIN has five mandate crops which are, cocoa, kola, coffee, cashew, and tea, the CRIN Director said soil is another area of collaboration with the agricultural research institute, explaining the need for good soil for their mandate crops for proper harvest.

“Of recent, CRIN has collaborated with some international bodies to develop cocoa fertilizer. We are with you and believe our collaboration will continue,” he said.

The event, themed “Boosting Productivity of the Food System in a Climate Crisis,” was well attended by dignitaries, agricultural experts and stakeholders, as well as farmers for insightful discussions, engagements and workshops aimed at solving food security in Nigeria.