Institute for Agricultural Research

Institute for Agricultural Research

• Training/Workshop
• September 17, 2026

Reacting to IAR’s participation and the recognition received at the Congress, the Executive Director of the Institute for Agricultural Research (IAR), Samaru, Professor Ado Adamu Yusuf, described the achievement as a reflection of the Institute’s commitment to research that responds to the practical needs of Nigerian farmers while strengthening international scientific partnerships.

“This recognition is important to IAR because it demonstrates that the research we are undertaking with our partners is addressing real challenges confronting farmers in Nigeria’s drylands. Developing improved varieties is critical, but our responsibility does not end with breeding. We must also ensure that quality seed of these varieties reaches farmers in sufficient quantities, at the right time and at an affordable cost.”

Professor Yusuf noted that the collaborative nature of the award-winning research, bringing together IAR, the Centre for Dryland Agriculture (CDA), Lake Chad Research Institute (LCRI), International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT-SN) and International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT-KN), reflects the kind of partnership required to address increasingly complex agricultural challenges.

“No single institution can address the challenges of climate change, seed access, declining natural resources and food security alone. What we have seen at the Dryland Congress reinforces the importance of partnerships—within Nigeria and internationally. We must connect our scientists, farmers, seed producers, private-sector actors and policymakers so that research innovations can move more rapidly from our laboratories and experimental fields into farmers’ hands.”

He further commended Dr. Muhammad Ahmad Yahaya for representing the Institute and Nigerian agricultural research on the international stage, describing the Best Poster Award as both an honour and a responsibility.

“I congratulate Dr. Muhammad Ahmad Yahaya and all the collaborating scientists and institutions behind this work. The award is encouraging, but more importantly, it challenges us to take the next step: to generate stronger evidence, expand these approaches and demonstrate measurable impact in farmers’ fields and communities.”

Professor Yusuf also welcomed the emphasis placed by the Congress on South–South Cooperation, noting that Nigeria has much to gain from stronger scientific and technological exchange with countries confronting similar dryland production challenges.

“South–South cooperation should be about practical exchange, what works, where it works, why it works and how we can adapt it to our own farmers and production environments. Nigeria has lessons to learn from other dryland regions, but we also have innovations and experience that we can contribute to the world. IAR is committed to being an active partner in that exchange.”

He expressed appreciation to Dr. Manzoor Dar of ICRISAT and the Local Organising Committee of the Dryland Congress 2026 for facilitating the participation of the Nigerian delegation and creating opportunities for Nigerian researchers to engage with leading scientists, policymakers and institutions from across the world.

The Executive Director concluded by reaffirming IAR’s commitment to translating international engagements into tangible outcomes at home:

“Ultimately, the value of our participation in international platforms must be measured by what changes for the Nigerian farmer. The partnerships we build, knowledge we acquire and technologies we encounter must translate into better varieties, stronger seed systems, improved productivity, greater resilience and better livelihoods. That is the impact we must pursue.”