By; SANI ALIYU, Zaria
The Institute for Agricultural Research (IAR) echoed with the promise of progress and innovation by hosting a special training session on “PBR Cowpea Dry Season Production,” organized by the African Agricultural Technology Foundation (AATF) in collaboration with the institute.
The training was steered under the leadership of Prof. Ado A. Yusuf, Executive Director of IAR, who enjoined participants to pay attention to all the training sessions and tap from the wealth of experience of all the Trainers.
Distinguished experts and trainers led by former Director IAR, and Principal Investigator PBR Cowpea Project, Prof Mohammad Faguji Ishiyaku, held interactive sessions with farmers and agricultural enthusiasts who gathered at the Balarabe Tanimu Conference Hall to learn the latest techniques and best practices for enhancing cowpea production during the dry season.
The PBR Cowpea Project Manager, Dr. Jean-Baptiste Tignegre, in a goodwill message, lauded the collaborative research between IAR, AATF and other partners which is yielding good results.
The rational of the training, according to the project, is to enhance the availability of high quality seed of the new Pod Borer Resistant (PBR) cowpea variety (SAMPEA 20T) to Nigerian farmers, as the project is striving to double the production of early generation seeds (EGS) of the variety in response to very high demand by the seed companies and farmers in the country.
“Amidst interactive sessions and hands-on demonstrations, participants delved into the intricacies of PBR cowpea cultivation, exploring innovative approaches to seed production, pest management, and crop resilience in challenging environments.
“With a shared commitment to sustainable agriculture and community empowerment, the training session fostered a spirit of collaboration and knowledge sharing, inspiring participants to harness the transformative potential of PBR cowpea technology.
“As the sun set on this day of learning and discovery, we are reminded of the resilience and ingenuity of our agricultural community.
“Together, we plant the seeds of progress, cultivating a future where prosperity and abundance flourish for all.
“Institute will continue to pave the way for agricultural excellence and innovations,” he said.
