Scientists at the Institute for Agricultural Research (IAR), Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, have secured four international research grants worth approximately N1.213 billion to advance climate-resilient agriculture in Nigeria.
The grants, valued at $948,678.53, were awarded under the Action Research for Climate Adaptation in Agriculture (ARCAA) programme, a joint initiative of Research Triangle Institute (RTI) International and the Regional Universities Forum for Capacity Building in Agriculture (RUFORUM), with support from the Gates Foundation.
The achievement makes IAR the only Nigerian institution to secure more than one grant under the highly competitive programme, accounting for four of the eight successful proposals from Nigeria.
A statement by Dr Sharhabil Musa Yahaya, of the Agricultural Extension Unit of IAR, said the programme attracted 149 concept-note submissions, out of which only 14 were selected, representing a success rate of about 9.4 per cent.
He said the four research projects will focus on developing alternative livestock feed from locally available materials, promoting solar-powered farmer-led irrigation, scaling up climate-resilient and drought-tolerant maize hybrids, and improving access to climate-resilient groundnut varieties through inclusive seed systems.
According to him, the projects are expected to boost agricultural productivity, strengthen farmers’ capacity to withstand climate change and promote sustainable farming practices, particularly in Northern Nigeria.
Commenting on the stride, Prof. Ado A. Yusuf, Executive Director of IAR, described the achievement as a testament to the dedication and research capacity of the institute’s scientists.
He said the success demonstrated the quality of research ideas being developed at the institute and their relevance to the needs of farmers and the wider agricultural sector.
Yusuf said the institute was committed to ensuring that research excellence translated into practical benefits for farmers, stronger agricultural systems and improved national food security.
He congratulated the successful scientists and their research teams, assuring them of the institute’s continued support for innovation, collaboration and partnerships capable of addressing critical agricultural challenges.
Similarly, the Vice-Chancellor of ABU, Prof. Adamu Ahmed, described the feat as an outstanding achievement that reflected the university’s growing reputation as a centre of research excellence in Africa.
Ahmed said securing four of the 14 grants selected from 149 submissions, including half of Nigeria’s successful entries, demonstrated the quality of research capacity developed by the university.