NAN-H-39
Agriculture
By Chidinma Ewunonu-Aluko
Ibadan, Nov. 24, 2016 (NAN) Integrated systems research approach in agriculture, is key to sustainable transformation in Africa, Dr Nteranya Sanginga has said.
This remark is contained in a statement signed by Mr Godwin Atser, the spokesman of the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Ibadan, on Thursday.
Atser, quoted Sanginga, the IITA’s Director-General, that the approach “places a farmer at the centre and develops an understanding of the farm-household, environment in which he/she operates and the constraints being faced’’.
Sanginga was quoted at the Systems Marketplace workshop, organised by the CGIAR Humid-tropics programme, in partnership with the Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA) at IITA.
He reiterated the IITA’s strong history with this development and the commitment to integrated systems research.
Sanginga, however, said that CGIAR would no longer fund standalone systems research programmes in its new portfolio.
According to him, the IITA would continue to support systems research and site integration efforts to successfully help Africa’s agricultural transformation agenda.
He said the work of the Humid-tropics programme, had been known to be very important for improving livelihoods of small holder farmers, which attracted governments and some key donors.
Also, Dr Kwesi Atta-Krah, the Director of the Integrated Systems on Humid-tropics programme, said ‘systems thinking’ was the way to go.
“If we want transformation in Africa, we must approach issues in the agricultural sector with systems thinking because the African farmer thinks systems on his farm.
“He plants cassava, yam, vegetables and name it, it is not just a single crop that he plants,” he said.
However, the statement said that more than 100 participants including stakeholders and researchers attended the three days workshop. (NAN)
CC/ AOM/YEMI
Edited by Abdullahi Mohammed/Yemi Idris-Aduloju