The Joint Annual Research Review and 33rd South-West Research Extension Farmers Input Linkage System (REFILS) organised by the Institute of Agricultural Research and Training (IAR&T), Moor Plantation, Ibadan, has ended today.
The 5-day event which started on Monday 26th – Friday 30th April, 2021 was held at the Professor E.A. Adebowale Training Hall, IAR&T.
The keynote addresses were delivered by the Director General of Oyo State Agribusiness Development Agency (OYSADA), Dr. Debo Akande and Prof. Mohammed Kuta Yahaya, from the Department of Agricultural Extension & Rural Development, University of Ibadan respectively.
Dr. Akande spoke on the topic “Agricultural Research and Entrepreneurship for Poverty Alleviation,” while Prof. Yahaya spoke on “Promoting Climate Smart Agriculture, Food Security and Sustainable Wealth Creation amidst COVID-19 and Social Conflicts”.
In her opening remarks, the Executive Director of the IAR&T, Professor Veronica Obatolu, highlighted the achievements of the research institute under her two-year leadership, among which is the latest discovery of the kenaf fibre in the production of Plaster of Paris, popularly known as POP ceiling.
The Executive Director also commended the South West Governors, most especially the Ogun State Government, for their supports to the institute.
She called on the Federal and State Governments to continue in their support for the Agricultural Institute, advising both levels of government to key into agribusiness as one of the ways to ensure growth in revenue generation and food security in the states and the country at large.
Dignitaries present at the event are: The Honourable Minister of Agriculture, Sabo Nanono ably represented by Prof. Garba Sharubutu, the Executive Secretary of the Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria, ARCN; Executive Governor of Oyo State, Seyi Makinde ably represented by the Chief of Staff, Chief Bisi Ilaka; the executive Governor of Ogun State, Dapo Abiodun, ably represented by the honourable Commissioner of Agriculture, Dr. Adeola Odedina; the Vice Chancellor and the Chairman of the governing council of the Institute of Agricultural Research and Training, Obafemi Awolowo University, Prof Eyitope Ogunbodede; The Executive Director of IAR&T, Prof. Veronica Obatolu; Director General of National Centre for Genetic Resources and Biotechnology (NACGRAB), Dr. Sunday Oladele; The Provost of the College of Animal Health and Production Technology Ibadan, Dr Adekoya Owosibo; the Regional coordinator of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Dr. Marcus Ogunbiyi; Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture Ogun State, Dr. Dotun Soronke; the Executive Director of National Horticultural Research Institute (NIHORT), Dr Ademola A. Idowu; President of the Nigerian Institute of Soil Science, Prof. Okechukwu Chude, represented by Prof. James Adediran; the representative of Office Chérifien des Phosphates (OCP) Africa, Dr. Jonah Madukwe, among others.
See wonderful moments of the workshop:
