Institute for Agricultural Research,
Ahmadu Bello University,
P.M.B 1044
Zaria.
The Institute for
Agricultural Research (IAR), Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, today Tuesday, 13
October 2026, held its 2026 Annual Field Day/farm walk at the Institute’s
Research Farms, Samaru, Zaria, bringing together scientists, researchers,
students and other stakeholders to showcase ongoing research activities,
improved farming technologies and innovations aimed at advancing agricultural
productivity and strengthening food security.
The Field Day provided
an important platform for participants to interact directly with researchers,
observe field experiments and gain practical insights into scientific findings
and improved crop production practices developed to address the challenges
confronting farmers.
The Vice-Chancellor of
Ahmadu Bello University, Professor Ahmad Adamu, was represented at the event by
the Executive Director of the National Animal Production Research Institute
(NAPRI), Professor M. R. Hassan.
He commended IAR for
its research activities and the achievements demonstrated during the guided
tour of the research fields. He also pledged to present his observations to the
Vice-Chancellor, highlighting the importance of the Institute’s research
activities to agricultural development.
A major highlight of
the Field Day was the guided tour of the Institute’s research farms, where
participants explored a wide range of research activities covering crop
improvement, sustainable farming systems and agricultural innovation.
The demonstrations
featured strip cropping systems involving different crops, maize breeding and
field trials, vegetable and soybean intercropping, and research on the
appropriate harvesting time for Artemisia. The Artemisia research examines how
harvesting time influences artemisinin content, soil quality and microbial
activities, highlighting the relationship between crop management and soil
health.
Participants also
visited fields showcasing sunflower breeder seed production, cowpea fields,
sorghum breeding and trials, cotton research, and groundnut research under the
Institute’s various programme.
These research
activities reflect IAR’s broad mandate to develop improved crop varieties,
enhance crop productivity, promote sustainable farming practices and generate
practical solutions to agricultural production challenges.
The interactive field
tour enabled participants to engage with scientists, ask questions and obtain
first-hand information about ongoing experiments and their potential
applications. It also demonstrated how agricultural research can contribute to
improved crop management, more efficient farming systems and informed
decision-making by farmers and other stakeholders.
By presenting its
research activities under actual field conditions, IAR continues to strengthen
the connection between scientific discoveries and their practical application
in agriculture.
The event concluded
with a vote of thanks delivered on behalf of the Executive Director, Professor
Ado A. Yusuf, by the Deputy Director, Professor Nafiu Abdu.
Professor Abdu
expressed satisfaction with the progress and improvements observed across the
research fields and commended the Institute’s researchers for their dedication
and contributions to advancing agricultural research. He encouraged staff to
sustain their commitment to achieving the Institute’s research objectives.
Research for Today. Innovation for Tomorrow. Food Security for
All.
The 2026 Annual Field
Day reaffirmed the commitment of the Institute for Agricultural Research to
generating, demonstrating and disseminating improved agricultural technologies
through scientific research and stakeholder engagement.
As IAR continues to
build on its longstanding legacy of agricultural research, the Institute
remains focused on developing innovative solutions that enhance agricultural
productivity, promote sustainable farming systems and contribute to food
security and national development.
Institute for
Agricultural Research (IAR), ABU Zaria
Driving Agricultural
Research, Innovation and Transformation.
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