Nigeria, China to improve food security in Africa

The International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) and China’s Academy of Tropical Agricultural Sciences (CATAS) have begun a partnership to improve food security and create jobs for the growing youth population in Africa.

The new partnership is part of China’s efforts to deepen collaboration with Africa in the area of agricultural development with the cooperation of the IITA, Punch Nigeria reports.

The agency promoting the collaboration with the IITA, described the partnership as a win-win situation for both China and Africa.

The IITA, a non-profit organisation founded in 1967 in Nigeria and governed by a board of trustees, is one of the world’s leading research partners in finding solutions to hunger, malnutrition and poverty.

According to the institute, it works with partners to enhance crop quality and productivity, reduce producer and consumer risks, and generate wealth from agriculture.

Head of communication, IITA, Katherine Lopez under the proposed framework collaboration said both parties have agreed to work together on crop improvement especially cassava, banana/plantain, spices, vegetable and cocoa.

She also said the framework would also see Africa-China student and researcher exchange programmes that would engender learning and capacity development.

Director-General of IITA, Nteranya Sanginga, who was represented by Alfred Dixon, said the proposal for joint cooperation was a step in the right direction. “We are excited over this development and we want to work with you. The IITA is committed to working with CATAS to help China fight the scourge of crop pests such as cassava mosaic disease that is economically important to both China and Africa,” Sanginga said.

IITA and CATAS will be working with GAWAL, a private Chinese agricultural firm, on several agricultural issues. GAWAL has also offered to serve as a link between the IITA and other Chinese agricultural solution providers.