President of Niger commends ICRISAT on its world-class research and facilities
High-level visit
H.E Mohamed Bazoum, President of the Republic of Niger, on his recent visit to the ICRISAT Sadoré Station commended the Institute for its impressive work in contributing to food and nutrition security in Niger and maintaining a world-class genebank.
Briefing on millet varieties in the region: Prof Falalou Hamidou, Country Representative of Niger, ICRISAT, welcomed the President and briefed him on the major pearl millet and sorghum varieties released in the Sahelian countries through ICRISAT collaborative research initiatives with the National Agricultural Research System (NARS). The President appreciated the impact of ICRISAT’s work in improving crop and livestock productivity in Niger and most of the Sahelian countries.
Visit to the genebank: Prof Falalou briefed the President on the regional genebank’s major activities and strategic importance in West and Central African Region and walked him through the genetic diversity displayed by the Niamey Regional Genebank.
Whilst visiting the seed laboratory and the newly established seed health unit, the President enquired about seed quality tests and the link with national seed systems.
"The genebank seed laboratory plays a complementary role in the national seed certification system. ICRISAT trains most of the national seed analysts and also conducts various laboratory seed tests for NARS partners," said Prof Falalou.
President Bazoum said he was impressed by the storage capacity of the genebank and the fact that it meets FAO standards on genebanks’ activities by implementing 11 Standard Operating Procedures.
Briefing on ICRISAT activities: Prof Falalou also briefed the President on ICRISAT’s work on restoring degraded lands, crop-livestock integration, integrated pest management and rural youth entrepreneurship.
The President’s visit to ICRISAT on 21 October 2022 culminated with the planting of a date palm tree at the research station.
Banner image: H.E Mohamed Bazoum, President of the Republic of Niger examines the millet diversity on display.
