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International agricultural research excites Japan

Agriculture Dr. Sanginga and Ryuichi Shoji
FEB 15, 2012 LISTEN
Dr. Sanginga and Ryuichi Shoji

The Japanese government has commended efforts by the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture towards increasing food production in Africa amid rising population.

The Japanese Ambassador to Nigeria, Ryuichi Shoji, while paying a courtesy call to the Director General of IITA, Dr Nteranya Sanginga said, “IITA's research is producing good results… and the achievements are contributing to the development of agriculture in Africa.”

Citing IITA's work on cowpea and yam which led to the development of improved varieties and management techniques, the ambassador said research on those crops was contributing to food security in sub-Saharan Africa.

He said Japan was proud to be associated with the work in IITA and called for greater collaboration between the institute and the Japanese government to help tackle the challenge of feeding the rising number of people in Africa.

With Africa's population currently more than a billion and being estimated to double by 2050, Ambassador Shoji said the challenge was not just meeting the food demands of the population but also providing jobs for the youth population.

“There are more and more people in Africa. More people to feed and more in need of jobs and we have to tackle these two problems,” he said.

He expressed confidence that agricultural research holds promise in tackling the challenges facing Africa and reiterated Japan's commitment to support agricultural development in Africa in general and Nigeria in particular.

Ambassador Shoji also commended the efforts of the Nigerian government in agricultural development under the leadership of Dr Akin Adesina, stressing that his government was in support of the steps taken by the country.

Dr. Sanginga reassured the ambassador that the institute would continue to foster greater partnership with the people of Japan.

He said IITA remained committed to the goal of improving agricultural productivity to fight hunger and poverty in Africa.

While calling for more collaboration, the IITA director general commended the government of Japan for supporting research in Africa especially the exchange programs between IITA and Japanese institutions.

He said such programs were necessary for capacity development and the building of synergies among researchers.

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