Institute for Agricultural Research,
Ahmadu Bello University,
P.M.B 1044
Zaria.
Prof. Inuwa Shehu Usman
The programme was established in 2010 and saddled with the responsibility of carrying out Basic and Applied Research in Agriculture using tools of molecular biology, genetic engineering, and biotechnology. Concerted efforts were made to harness the scientific capacity of the Institute to exploit the potentials of Biotechnology in improving productivity, crop health and product development in our mandate crops specifically and Nigerian Agriculture in general. Specifically, the programme focuses on development of transgenic and other advanced genetic manipulation approaches for quality and quantity improvement as well as basic research in plant molecular biology. The program has been supporting plant tissue culture with the main objective of developing regeneration protocols of economically important crops. The outstanding achievements since its inception was the establishment of equipped laboratory, confinement and containment facilities, introgression of Bt transgenic into local cowpea, development of protocols for micro-propagation of pineapple and sugarcane, development of protocols for cryopreservation of groundnut, and protocol for large scale production of Artemisinin.
INTRODUCTION
The programme was established in 2010 and saddled with the
responsibility of carrying out Basic and Applied Research in Agriculture using
tools of molecular biology, genetic engineering, and biotechnology. Concerted
efforts were made to harness the scientific capacity of the Institute to
exploit the potentials of Biotechnology in improving productivity, crop health
and product development in our mandate crops specifically and Nigerian
Agriculture in general. Specifically, the programme focuses on development of
transgenic and other advanced genetic manipulation approaches for quality and
quantity improvement as well as basic research in plant molecular biology. The
program has been supporting plant tissue culture with the main objective of
developing regeneration protocols of economically important crops. The
outstanding achievements since its inception was the establishment of equipped
laboratory, confinement and containment facilities, introgression of Bt
transgenic into local cowpea, development of protocols for micro-propagation of
pineapple and sugarcane, development of protocols for cryopreservation of
groundnut, and protocol for large scale production of Artemisinin.
CONTRIBUTIONS OF IAR TO CONTROL THE GINGER
EPIDERMICS IN KADUNA STATE.
As
part of its’ contribution towards curbing the occurrence of ginger diseases in
Kaduna and Nigeria, the executive Director on the 28th August 2024
donated 5,000 disease-free ginger seedlings that were raised by the programme
to the Kaduna State Government. A fall back on this king gesture, is the call
for IAR to submit a proposal for up-scaling the micro and macro propagation to
backstop the demand for disease free ginger seed in Nigeria through the
establishment of a National Ginger Seed Project. The proposal was presented to
the Presidential Initiative for Combatting Ginger Disease and the response of
the committee is being awaited. Some NGOs and individuals have indicated
interest in partnering with IAR on clean ginger seed production and talks are
still on-going.
DISSEMINATION OF TISSUE CULTURED BANANA
AND PINEAPPLE SEEDLINGS TO FARMERS UNDER THE IAR ADOPTED SCHOOL AND VILLAGES
Tissue
cultured seedlings of Banana and pineapple were distributed to farmers under
five (5) adopted villages of IAR. Namely, Dusten Abba, Barewa College, Yakasai,
Marwa and Kwarbai. The seedlings were given out to the farmers by the Executive
Director, IAR to create awareness and bring the benefits of the technology to
farmers within the enclave of IAR. The August event took place on the 17th
October 2024.
TETFUND INSTITUTION BASED RESEARCH AWARDS
I am
glad to inform you that Two (2) of our scientists have won IBR research grant
on (1) Development of temporary immersion bioreactor system for rapid
micropropagation of Ginger (Ginger
officianales L.), Lead scientist Dr R. A Sami and (2) Development of a
model soilless crop cultivation system in Nigeria, Lead Scientist Prof Inuwa S
Usman
ONE-DAY SYMPOSIUM ON IAR BIOTECH CROPS
This
event that held at the Assembly Hall, ABU, Main campus on 15th
January 2025, was organized under the theme - Biotech Crops in Nigeria: Myth,
Fallacies and Facts were well attended by the university community and the
general public. Four (4) scientists of the programme – Prof S. G. Ado, Prof. M.
F. Ishiyaku, Prof R. S. Adamu and Prof M. L Umar took their turns to explain
IAR journey so far on development and release of transgenic cowpea, maize and
cotton and in the process addressed concerns and misconceptions on GMOs
RESEARCH REVIEW COMMITTEE
MEMBERS
Member Discipline Represented
A. A. Yusuf Executive
Director
M. F. Ishiyaku Plant
Science Department
B. D. Tarfa Soil
Science Department
A. A. Muktar Agronomy
Department
M. M. Abdulmalik (Mrs) Plant
Science Department
G. L. Luka Programme
Leader
A.A. Muhammed Agronomy
Department
O. O. Ugbabe Agric.
Economics
M. Abubakar Agric.
Engineering
M. L. Umar Plant
Science Department
A. I. Yahaya Plant
Science Department
A. Kwanashi Crop
Protection
T. A. Lawal Secretary
PARTICIPATING
RESEARCH STAFF
Member Discipline Represented
M. F. Ishiyaku Plant
Science
I. S. Usman Plant
Science
M. M. Abdulmalik Plant
Science
A. A. Yusuf Soil
Science
F. Abubakar Soil
Science
M. L. Umar Plant
Science
L. B. Hassan Plant
Science
H. O. Ahmed Plant
Science
PARTICIPATING
TECHNICAL STAFF
Member Discipline Represented
S. Umar Biotechnology
Research Programme
Mrs. H. Gambo Biotechnology
Research Programme
Mrs. K. M. Zakariya Biotechnology
Research Programme
N. Bello Biotechnology
Research Programme
J. M. Suleiman Biotechnology
Research Programme
A. Jibrin Biotechnology
Research Programme
A. Ibrahim Biotechnology
Research Programme
