The Director of System and Site Integration at International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) has expressed joy over the success of  IITA at its 50 years anniversary, saying that his expectations were more than met even though there were challenges but the support of the likes of chief Obasanjo, Gen. Gowon, Dr. Adesina, Olubadan and other dignitaries across the globe were immense.

Speaking with CEOAfrica in an exclusive interview, Dr Kwesi Atta- Krah also the chairperson for IITA @50 organizing committee, stated the success of IITA so far.

He said IITA has helped to put money in the pocket of farmers, also the  major crops (like maize, cassava, yam, bread varieties) they deal with are major food security crops for the continent which is a tolerance to pest and diseases are now in the hands of farmers and community that we work with.

IITA has also trained people who are now occupying various senior positions, the likes of Dr Adesina, Dr Sanginga, himself and many others.

He also expatiated on the high rate of success history that IITA has recorded in their focus on youth development which has started over six years ago, in which the African Development Bank (AfDB) is partnering with them in an initiative called “Enable Youth,” a programme where youth are being given entrepreneurship training and incubation in technologies for making money out of agriculture. “Our hope is that young people can be given loan as part of the program,” he said