By Idris Umar Zaria The Institute for Agricultural Research (IAR), Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, on Thursday hosted its 2025 Annua...
By Idris Umar Zaria
The Institute for Agricultural Research (IAR), Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, on Thursday hosted its 2025 Annual Farm Walk at the IAR Research Farm in Samaru, attracting researchers, farmers, students, and key agricultural stakeholders from across the country.
The event was declared open by the Vice-Chancellor of ABU, Prof. Kabiru Bala, represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Advancement, Research and Innovation), Prof. Sunusi Rafindadi, who also chaired the occasion. In his remarks, Prof. Rafindadi commended IAR for its steadfast commitment to agricultural innovation, research excellence, and technology dissemination across Nigeria and beyond.
Welcoming participants, the Executive Director of IAR, Prof. Ado Yusuf, represented by Deputy Director Prof. Nafiu Abdu, led the Vice-Chancellor and guests on a guided tour of the institute’s experimental fields and research facilities. He outlined key achievements under the current administration, including the completion of the horticultural garden’s perimeter fencing, infrastructural improvements across the research farm, and enhanced capacity for crop trials and technology development.
The Farm Walk featured live field demonstrations of IAR’s research progress on its mandate crops—maize, sorghum, cowpea, groundnut, cotton, artemisia, and castor. Participants observed improved crop varieties, modern agronomic practices, and emerging technologies tailored to the needs of Nigerian farmers.
Scientists, technicians, technologists, extension workers, students, and farmers used the occasion to exchange ideas and explore avenues for collaboration. The interactive sessions provided a vital bridge between research and field application, reinforcing IAR’s mission of ensuring agricultural innovations reach end users.
The 2025 Annual Farm Walk reaffirmed IAR’s status as a leading center of agricultural excellence in West Africa, fostering deeper engagement between academia and the farming community.
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