The Institute of Agricultural Research and Training (IAR&T), Ibadan, has developed fortified organic fertiliser, enriched composts through partially aerated technique within a highly reduced period of preparation.
The IAR&T Executive Director, Prof. James Adediran made this known while briefing newsmen on Monday at the institute, as part of its activities to mark its 50th anniversary.
Adediran noted that no fewer than 70 new varieties of maize, cowpea, soyabean, kenaf had been developed for high yielding, while improved cultural, processing techniques were also developed for its mandate crops and value chain.
On livestock production, he said it provided improved formulated feeds, housing for macro, micro livestock production as well as improved animal reproduction through artificial insemination technique.
“Over 1,200 trainings have been conducted for farmers, trainees, while new technologies have been disseminated to millions of farm families through electronic, print media.
“The institute functioned as a research, training, service centre for improvement of agricultural productivity and farm efficiency through research into existing soil, water, crops, livestock resources in South-West and Nigeria at large.
“Seven outstations are created at Ikenne (Ogun state), Ilora (Oyo state), Ballah (Kwara state), Orin Ekiti (Ekiti state), Ile-Ife and Kisi Oyo state, for research and agricultural production.
“There are experimental sites at Amakama-Umuahia and Umudike (Abia state), Mokwa (Niger state) and Eruwa (Oyo state) as well as adopted villages at Moloko-Asipa (Ogun state) and Oniyo-Ogbomoso, for proven technology dissemination,” he said.
He, however, remarked that the challenges it faced while carrying out research included low funding base, inadequate research infrastructure and power supply, low capacity building of staff as well as policy inconsistency.
“Despite the challenges, IAR&T lived up to the expectation as a centre of excellence in agricultural research.
“The environment in which research is carried out has made the institution stronger, resilient to forge ahead looking forward to a vibrant future with greater achievements,” he said.
The ED further appreciated the Federal Government for supporting its research system, members of staff as well as other stakeholders for contributing immensely to the institute’s sustenance.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that IAR&T has mandate to conduct research into efficient use and management of soil resources for increased, sustainable agricultural productivity.
It also conducts research into genetic improvement of maize, grain legumes as well as trypanotolerant live livestock for South-West ecologies, among others. (NAN)
