DAWN Commission in its role towards facilitating interaction between different development stakeholders hosted the team from Institute of Agricultural Research and Training (IAR&T) led by the Executive Director, Prof. Veronica Obatolu on Friday, February 28, 2020.  The meeting was focused on possible partnership between the two organisations and how the Region can effectively leverage research outputs from the Institute.

IAR&T is the Southwest Zonal Coordinating Research Institute with the mandate for improving farming systems for crops grown in Southwest Nigeria.

Speaking on the activities of the Institute, Prof. Veronica stressed the Institute’s focus on generating and disseminating improved agricultural technologies that are demand-driven and adaptable by farmers in the region. Such technology include development of Kenaf and Jute which can be explored as source of fibre for industries.

In his remarks, the Director General of DAWN Commission, Mr. Seye Oyeleye, commended the research efforts of the institute and stressed the need for the Region to leverage research outputs of the Institute towards agricultural development.

The meeting highlighted strengthening of interaction between researchers and the public; as well as improving the public extension service as a major factor in agricultural technology dissemination and uptake. One of the efforts of the Institute to coordinate effective technology transfer among all stakeholders is facilitation of Research Extension Farmers’ Input Linkage System (REFILS) program; with the next edition scheduled to hold on 21-23 April, 2020.