IAR Welcomes Scientists from AVISA and CIMMYT for Sorghum Field Visit

IAR Welcomes Scientists from AVISA and CIMMYT for Sorghum Field Visit

Training/Workshop
October 27, 2025

Today, 24th October 2025, the Institute for Agricultural Research (IAR), Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, had the honour of hosting a distinguished team of scientists from the Accelerated Varietal Improvement and Seed Delivery of Legumes and Cereals in Africa (AVISA) and the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT) as part of ongoing collaborative research activities.

The visiting team was warmly received by the Executive Director, Prof. Ado Yusuf, ably represented by the Deputy Director, Prof. Nafiu Abdu, who expressed delight over the strong and enduring collaboration between IAR and its international partners. He commended the visiting scientists for their dedication to advancing agricultural research and reaffirmed that IAR remains open to continuous partnership and joint innovation for the benefit of farmers and food security across Africa.

The delegation included Dr. Ignatius Angarawai (Country Representative, ICRISAT Nigeria), Dr. Nebie Baloua (CIMMYT), Kenneth Opare Obuobi (SARI, Ghana), Herman Some, and Jerome Jonah.

They were joined by IAR’s vibrant research team, comprising Dr. Rekiyat Abdulmalik, Dr. Hauwa O. Ahmed, Dr. Rukkaya Sami, Dr. Lateefat Hassan, Dr. Muhammad Ahmad Yahaya, Prof. A. B. Zarafi, and several other researchers and technical staff.

The team visited the IAR Research Farm, Samaru, where they toured multiple research plots including Regional Disease Screening Trials, Regional and National Variety Trials, and Breeding Population Development plots. The joint team evaluated different sorghum lines to identify resistant and susceptible varieties while assessing genetic populations aimed at developing improved, high-yielding, and climate-resilient sorghum varieties.

This interactive field engagement provided a platform for fruitful discussions on progress, challenges, and future directions for strengthening the sorghum value chain in West and Central Africa.

The visit further reinforced IAR’s unwavering commitment to collaborative agricultural innovation, sustainable crop improvement, and global partnerships that continue to drive impactful research for farmers and communities across the region.