ICRISAT-Nigeria Celebrates 54th Foundation Day, Highlights Impact on Farmers and Youth
The dynamic event showcased climate‑smart breakthroughs, youth leadership, and farmer‑centered innovation that are driving dryland agriculture forward in Nigeria.
Kano, Nigeria - The International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT)-Nigeria marked its 54th Foundation Day on 20 June 2025 with a high-impact event that brought together farmers, youth, development partners, and local leaders to celebrate over five decades of agricultural innovation and resilience. The celebration underscored ICRISAT's enduring role in transforming dryland farming systems in Nigeria through climate-smart technologies, youth empowerment initiatives, and farmer-led solutions that are improving livelihoods and strengthening food security across the region.
Milestones and Local Achievements
Welcoming the audience, Dr Victor Afari‑Sefa, Global Research Program Director – Enabling Systems Transformation, ICRISAT, reflected on the institute's journey since its establishment on 28 March 1971.
"The future of dryland agriculture depends on inclusive innovation, where youth, farmers, and researchers co-design solutions that are climate-smart, nutrition-sensitive, and locally owned. What we are witnessing in Nigeria is exactly the kind of transformative engagement needed to make global science relevant on the ground," he said.
In a keynote presentation, Dr Ignatius Angarawai, Senior Scientist - Sorghum Breeding and ICRISAT's Country Representative – Nigeria, underlined the institution's efforts to combat seed insecurity, gender inequality, climate change, and land degradation. He highlighted the high-impact crop varieties, including the drought-tolerant, Striga-resistant, and biofortified sorghum lines (SAMSORG 52, 53, and 54) as well as the iron-rich pearl millet 'Chakti', which are boosting farm productivity and improving nutrition in the Nigerian communities.
Launch of the Young Shall Grow Club
A highlight of the event was the launch of the "Young Shall Grow" club, an ICRISAT‑Nigeria initiative equipping secondary‑school students with hands‑on training in agronomy and value addition using biofortified crops.
Ms Hazimatu Sale, a student at the Government Girls Secondary School, Garko, shared:
"My perception of agriculture has completely changed. I once wanted to be a medical doctor, but after participating in the Young Shall Grow activities, I aim to become an agricultural scientist to help improve farming across Nigeria."
Farmer Field Schools: Turning Knowledge into Income
ICRISAT‑Nigeria's Farmer Field School (FFS) model continues to translate research into on-farm results effectively. The program delivers season-long, hands-on training to smallholder farmers in climate-smart agriculture, pest and disease management, soil health, and post-harvest practices. Farmers learn in their fields, applying and adapting new techniques using ICRISAT's starter packs that include quality seeds, essential tools, and biofortified crop varieties.
Ms Hajiya Hadiza Lawan, an FFS member, attested:
"Our group uses the starter packs from ICRISAT to process local flour. This has helped us substantially generate income and improve our members' livelihoods."
As ICRISAT celebrates 54 years of scientific excellence, the event reaffirmed its mission to empower farmers, inspire youth, and co‑create solutions for a food‑secure future. ICRISAT‑Nigeria remains at the forefront of dryland agricultural transformation with climate-smart innovations and inclusive partnerships.
Roseleen Aind
Related Articles:
